John Tredgett’s views of my preaching

 

John Tredgett’s views of my preaching 

3^rd July 2023

These views were communicated after the meeting with Steve and Val and all the church elders.

They claimed: “Andrew’s preaching was lacking in exposition”

I just struggle to see this.

You preached through Proverbs, Luke and Hebrews and, looking at one passage after another.

Your preaching has changed a little bit.

You are focusing on a particular verse or so. This is not a bad thing.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, he would do a whole series on just one particular verse.

Your sermons are scriptural, even if they're not expository in the way, say others, others do it.

Exposition I don't think is sort of on or off.

It's more like a spectrum.

it's not simply going through a passage, verse by verse, phrase by phrase.

They claimed: “The introductions are too long and the overall length of the sermons are too long.”

This has been an issue with both of us. It is something we all work on.

There is a tension between having freedom to preach as the Spirit leads and having to keep track on the clock.

They claimed that “Apologetics has become too dominant.”

Your apologetic studies are coming into things more.

Your studies on languageits nature and the whole significance of the somebody, someone distinction. Have been mentioned

The real definition of what faith is has been focused on.

I've been stretched by these things, and I do enjoy preaching on these things.

These things appeal to me because I like thinking about ideas and books and theories and so on. I can see how some people would prefer simpler preaching.

I do think that the church and Christians generally would benefit greatly from what you're researching, you know.

You're mining very deeply, and maybe some people are used to sort of shallower depths, but maybe just the format, the medium to share your findings might be better suited to to writing to a website I think you've mentioned, or articles for ET or a book rather than the pulpit.

As a couple we have benefited greatly from your preaching.

They claimed “That your preaching is too negative.”

I struggle to see this. I don't think that that it's lopsided sort of in your preaching and you've become overly negative.

They claimed “That you are displaying too much emotion.”

I don't really have any issue here, you can generally be quite be quite reserved so for you to get impassioned or tearful maybe it's just more of a shock rather than something that's bad practice as a preacher.

27^th October 2023 John Tredgett

I don’t think anyone believes you have taught heresy. No-one doubts that you have tremendous gifts when it comes to preaching, praying, pastoral care, hospitality, generosity

 November 10th 2023

 We have undergone much soul-searching, prayer and consultation over the last few months, and our joint conclusion is that the changes in Andrew’s preaching over the last eighteen months have been of the Lord. We acknowledge that new ground is being broken, but that the course Andrew is pursuing remains biblical and worthy of our support.

In an email on November 14^th the remaining elders made it clear that they wanted me to continue preaching during my notice period – a further 3 months.

We look forward to the future in hope, both for you, your family, and for the church you have pastored faithfully since 2004.

Please note carefully that this implies that the faithfulness continues to the day of this email... ie November 14th.

The "church members" meeting on November 20th was the place where a new view of me and my preaching was announced and argued for. There had clearly been some work done in preparing this new view of me and my preaching including the canvassing of previous attendees and prior members who had left us for one reason or another. A document was prepared for attendees at this meeting which has never been shown to me or my family despite the fact that members of my family asked for it while still being church members.

On Sunday 14th December John expressed his agreement with this statement (composed by Dr. John Crosby):

159 Regarding your current situation, and writing from a position of deep respect, I would urge you to prayerfully consider the Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian Elders (Acts 20:28). In my opinion, until recent times, you fulfilled that request with some distinction. However, since then this (sadly) has not been the case.

 When fed the spiritual food which is ‘convenient’ for the believer, they will grow in grace, or to use another metaphor, they will be edified and ‘built up in their most holy faith’ (Jude, v.20). This was, I believe, the outcome of your ministry until recent times.

When you informed us of your studies, I was greatly encouraged and hoped they would lead you to a deeper understanding of the scripture and enhance your ministry. With great sadness, I do not think this has been the case. As a consequence, the feeding of the body of Christ has been seriously affected. Whatever the future in the Lord’s will holds for you, I respectfully urge you to consider these matters.

On the 20th December John gives expression to the new view in a communication with Alan Pallister:

"Eighteen people. Christians, brothers, sisters, church members, ministers of the gospel with literally hundreds of years' combined experience between them in listening to sermons. Many have never even met each other. Yet they all share concerns about Andrew.

 I've asked myself, have they all simultaneously gone mad? Or been deceived? Or become possessed? If not, the only alternative seems to be that something is indeed not quite right with Andrew's preaching, and which has elicited this widespread response.

 I dare not share with Andrew the full extent of those who have expressed concerns. Andrew has already had a nervous breakdown earlier in his life, and I fear that this would cause another one - if not suicide.