Torch, Spring 1997

s an itinerant preacher for more than 40 years, I have witnessed many changes in churches. From the 1950s to the 1990s, I have observed differences in methods and styles from Tennessee to Iowa, California to Ohio, and even from the lower to the upper peninsula of Michigan. The church is changing-not our message, not our God, not our authoritative 66 books of truth. Our methods of communicating that truth are changing. Preaching the Word of God must remain central to all of our methods. Preaching, prayer, and personal evangelism were the heart of the early church and must be so in today's church. Other vehicles that may enhance and extend our outreach must be prayerfully considered. The Spirit of God is the One who empowers the Word of God in whatever method we choose to use. 2 Torch ~~_ZJ~ President Cedarville College The Lord does not prescribe our methods. He purposefully gave His church much flexibility. As we study Scripture, it is impossible to stereotype conversion experiences. No two Preaching the Word of God must remain central to all of our methods. people in the Bible had the same experience. God is not concerned that each of us has the same experience, but rather that we have the same Savior, Jesus Christ. God's intent is that we carry out His Great Commission– preaching, teaching, and making disciples. The methods we choose to use must honor Him and be true to the Bible. That gives us much latitude. Let's give one another the same flexibility that God gives us. Someday soon we must all give account of ourselves to our Lord. This issue of TORCH is devoted to the use of biblical drama in the church. There certainly has been a renewed interest in using drama as a medium for evangelizing the lost and enriching the Christian. The authors of these articles are knowledgeable and experienced faculty and staff who can stimulate our thoughts on this subject. We do have the answer for a perishing world. Let's be sure we are prayerfully making use of all available methods to get the changeless gospel of Jesus Christ to a world in change.