In this fascinating collection of teachings, we get a sense for what Joseph understood to be happening in the event of preaching, what he took to be the essence of missionary work. And let me point out that I use the word “essence” here for a reason: Joseph’s teachings as gathered here are relatively abstract, dwelling on what might be called the structure of preaching rather than on the content, the aim, the result, or the techniques of preaching.

But I personally find this relatively abstract, structural approach quite helpful. It is likely that the actual structure of preaching is what ultimately must ground any reflection on the content, aim, result, or techniques: if we are not aware of what is actually happening when preaching is undertaken by the Spirit, then I’m not sure how we can expect ever to see how to undertake to do it ourselves. In a word, what I hope to explore in working through this lesson is what it is to preach, and with the intention of understanding in light of that structure how it is that I or we might go about doing it. Read the rest of this entry »