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In this edition of the Ministry Minded Podcast, I am bringing back an old feature from this blog, “Pastor Brad’s Corner,” and utilizing it as a space to pause, reflect, and chew on Scripture, sermons, and stories from the past week. In this first visit to the “corner,” I reflect on this past Sunday’s service, Mother’s Day, which featured Stonington’s first “normal” church service since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic (and paranoia). I also chew on the sermon I delivered from Mark 11 and 12, noting the strengths of presenting it in the way that I did, but also recognizing the weaknesses of that presentation, too. I specifically wanted to press on a point I made about angels, and how “heaven does not get another angel” when we pass away. To do that, I refer to Chad Bird’s wonderful article, “People Aren’t Downgraded to Angels When They Die.” I close the episode talking about Michael Cooper’s recent article for Preaching Source, “The Sacredness of Preaching,” and why the pastor is not at liberty to play fast and loose with the message that fills the pulpit.

Resources.

“The Sacredness of Preaching,” Michael Cooper 

“People Aren’t Downgraded to Angels When They Die,” Chad Bird 

“On the Christo-centricity of Scripture,” article by yours truly 

“On the distinction between Christ and angels in the letter to the Hebrews,” article by yours truly 

The Preacher: His Life and Work, John Henry Jowett 

Stonington Baptist Church sermons

Grace: So Much More Than You Know & So Much Better Than You Think, Brad J. Gray

Sponsor.

Fresh Roasted Coffee: a locally owned and operated coffee house in the heart of Central Pennsylvania that produces the freshest coffee and delivers it at peak drinkability. Use offer code “GRACE10” at checkout to get a discount off your next order.

Buy Some Coffee!

Notes.

I’m Brad Gray and I serve as the Senior Pastor of Stonington Baptist Church in Paxinos, Pennsylvania, where I live with my wife Natalie, daughter Lydia, and son Braxton. Besides pastoring, I spend most of my time writing, reading, and ministering in many more ways. I am resolved to faithfully and fervently propagate the gospel of “grace upon grace” for the weary and the worn out. It is my sincerest desire to live and minister all “for the sake of the Name.” (3 Jn 1:7) So long as Christ is exalted, that is enough.

Credits.

Ad music: “Coffee Stains” by Finley, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Intro music: “West Coast” by Ryan Little, licensed under CC BY 4.0.