Ed,

One of the main reasons I came to the conference was to hear you. I was unable to attend the "Comeback Churches" seminar due to teaching a seminary class that afternoon. I appreciate your perspective in that you are in dialogue with emerging, traditional, nontraditional churches. You are a unique gift to Southern Baptists.

I would like your dialogue on a few items I noted while you were speaking, understanding your limited time.

1. You mentioned staying in the culture as part of our mission, and you spoke of your objection to taking children out of public schools, as some advocate. I do not disagree with you, but am struggling with the argument that our children need to be protected and are not necessary "missionaries" at their tender ages.

2. The video segments that you showed: Given the fact that an overwhelming percentage of the general public is open to Christianity and would come to church if someone invited them, is the bleak tone of the videos a bit demotivating to witnessing?

3. I noticed that your sermon outlines in both messages were simply a sentence broken into points. As you know, point 2 continued point 3 and 4 three and so on. I think you have solved a problem I ascertained in Andy Stanley's book on preaching: how to get in depth exposition of a text while keeping one idea before the congregration. As I ponder it, I plan to teach this to my class.

Two questions:
Where did you learn this technique? Is is uniquely yours? I don't recall seeing this done, and I have listened to, preached, and taught preaching for years.

Do you preach like this normally?

Again, I understand you can't write me a dissertation. Any direction you can point me on these three items is gratefully appreciated, and you WILL be helping to advance the kingdom!

Blessings,
David Holder
Sulphur, LA

Ed,

One of the main reasons I came to the conference was to hear you. I was unable to attend the "Comeback Churches" seminar due to teaching a seminary class that afternoon. I appreciate your perspective in that you are in dialogue with emerging, traditional, nontraditional churches. You are a unique gift to Southern Baptists.

I would like your dialogue on a few items I noted while you were speaking, understanding your limited time.

1. You mentioned staying in the culture as part of our mission, and you spoke of your objection to taking children out of public schools, as some advocate. I do not disagree with you, but am struggling with the argument that our children need to be protected and are not necessary "missionaries" at their tender ages.

2. The video segments that you showed: Given the fact that an overwhelming percentage of the general public is open to Christianity and would come to church if someone invited them, is the bleak tone of the videos a bit demotivating to witnessing?

3. I noticed that your sermon outlines in both messages were simply a sentence broken into points. As you know, point 2 continued point 3 and 4 three and so on. I think you have solved a problem I ascertained in Andy Stanley's book on preaching: how to get in depth exposition of a text while keeping one idea before the congregration. As I ponder it, I plan to teach this to my class.

Two questions:
Where did you learn this technique? Is is uniquely yours? I don't recall seeing this done, and I have listened to, preached, and taught preaching for years.

Do you preach like this normally?

Again, I understand you can't write me a dissertation. Any direction you can point me on these three items is gratefully appreciated, and you WILL be helping to advance the kingdom!

Blessings,
David Holder
Sulphur, LA

Dear Ed "Dan Rather" Stetzer, Wow Eric gets the blame for navigating to the hotel where you were staying and had already checked in. I'd really like to see the long version. You'd be a great main stream media reporter with that kinda spin. :) Really enjoyed the conference and meeting you as well. Take care of those girls. Billy

David,

Good to hear from you and thanks for your kind words.

I think numbers 1 and 2 were actaully from other sessions... I did not mention public schools or show a video related to my messages.

Regarding your preaching question, I often use a construct like that. I tried to take my points and combine them into one thought. So, you get four point preaching but in a construct that is easy to remember.

I could not really do "one point preaching," so this is several point preaching with one major theme and construct holding it together.

Ed

The long version would certainly implicate me, so I like the short version better.

Besides, what do you know???... you were just driving! Eric was navigating. And, I was making funny comments! Grin.

It was good to meet you and thanks for the fun time!

Ed,

My bad! I think points 1 and 2 came from Eric's presentation. A thousand pardons!

BTW, I did blog a few quotes of yours and Eric's. I hope I got those correct!

Check out: www.drdave3.blogspot.com