Page 150 - A Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy

3
characteristic thrust of his ministry.” Jesus placed preaching ministry at the center of his
ministry.

The Korean church needs to heed the example of Jesus’ homiletic centrality. The time is

opportune to revive the healthy tradition of emphasis on preaching and teaching the Bible. To

accomplish this task, Korean Preachers will need to focus on the ministry of the Word and

discard the methodology of programmatic growth in their daily ministry. In order to pursue

homiletic centrality in ministry, however, it is incumbent upon the minister to reserve sufficient

time alone to study, meditate, and pray. In the Korean church, preachers fail to make enough

4
time to study since they have “all the ecclesiastical reins” in their own hands.

To meet congregational expectations the preacher feels pressure to be present and

involved in every type of ministry. The Korean preachers and congregations need to

acknowledge that the time of study itself is a indispensable part of daily ministry, and that

spending time in study is an “act of obedience,” “time of worship,” “pastoral work,” and “time of

5
homiletical act.” Korean preachers and congregations need to learn Spurgeon’s maxim: “he

3 Osborn, Folly of God, 190.

4
Stott, John Stott, Between two Worlds (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Co., 1982), 205-206.

5
Craddock, Preaching, 70-71. Craddock offers ten practical suggestions to spare time in the
ministry: 1) inform the congregation of one's study schedule and explain that time in a study is
time spent with the entire congregation and with the community; 2) be realistic in one's
expectations of the life of study; 3) establish and maintain a routine of time and place; 4) develop
the ability to use small units of time; 5) regularly read novels, short stories, and poetry; 6) resist
the urge to cease study once a sermon idea emerges; 7) take advantage of library facilities
available; 8) set up your own library to function efficiently; 9) take advantage of available
workshops and seminars; 10) preserve the fruits of one's study.