Some preachers take off strong. They get to cruising altitude and pilot the sermon without turbulence. Then they land smoothly at the same airport from which they took off. It was good flight. Homiletical policies and procedures were followed. And the congregation enjoyed the ride so much that it never noticed they did not actually […]
Today is the official release of my newest book, entitled, “On Pastoring: A Short Guide to Living, Leading, and Ministering as a Pastor.” It is a companion, of sorts, to my previous book, On Preaching. I have been a pastor all of my adult life, serving congregations in California and Florida. I began my first […]
Congratulations to my niece, Aysia Smith, on graduating today from California State University in Sacramento! It was a joy to talk in biblical preaching at the inaugural John A. Reed Jr. Institute at the Fairview Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. I was privileged to attend the board meeting of The Gospel Coalition in Chicago. I […]
Stephen J. Thurston has been the Pastor of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago for thirty-seven years. He succeeded his father, who pastored the church for twenty-two years. Thurston’s grandfather, the founding pastor of the congregation, served the church for twenty-two years. A graduate of the historic Bishop College in Dallas, Pastor Thurston is known […]
Happy Mother’s Day to my Mother, Ellen Charles! And happy Mother’s Day to my wife, Crystal Charles, and the mother of my three terrorists… I mean, children! It was a joy to preach at the Piedmont Bible Conference this week, hosted by Pastor Stoney Enfield and the Prospect Baptist Church in Albermarle, North Carolina. Check […]
Welcome to episode #32 of The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, I want to talk about seven ways to become a better preacher… Start early. Read repeatedly. Observe carefully Dig diligently. Read widely Write clearly. Pray fervently. Questions Are you growing in your […]
The following is a guest post written by Kyle Robertson from NetGalley in review of my new book “On Pastoring” published by Moody Publishers (Available June 7, 2016). Pastor Charles has delivered a fascinating and well written book regarding pastoral ministry. I will begin by letting you know I am not a pastor. I work in […]
A young preacher friend recently texted me. He was asked to preach a funeral for a family. It would be his first. And he wanted to know if I had any advice to offer him. I responded by mentioning a podcast I did on preaching funeral sermons: “Preaching Funeral Sermons.” I also offered offered several […]
My wife, Crystal, and I am in Los Angeles today to attend the memorial service for my pastor’s (Dr. Melvin V. Wade, Sr.) mother: Mrs. Mary Wade. Prayers appreciated. Shout-Out to R. Wayne Briant for the opportunity to speak at the Southwest Florida Evangelistic Conference with Dr. Stephen Nelson Rummage in Sarasota this past Monday. Check […]
