Favorite Preachers of 2006

As I was listening to a sermon by one of my favorite living preachers tonight, I thought I should give a short list of my favorite preachers of 2006.  As a preacher I get great reward from hearing the preaching of others.  Not only because it helps me learn what good preachers do and say, but because I get the Gospel over and over again. 

These five preachers have been my Gospel teachers over the past year more than anyone else.  I subscribe to their sermons and/or podcasts.  They are in no particular order (except for the first one).

Tim Keller

The sermons of Dr. Timothy Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC, have haunted me for a couple of years now, but never so much as in 2006.  He has a number of free sermons on the web that I link to on my Tim Keller Resources page.  I also have a paid subscription to the weekly preaching at Redeemer, which includes mostly Keller sermons but others as well at Redeemer. 

Keller's sermons are intellectual, a little more sedated than I normally like, and very reasonable.  What is best about Keller's preaching is his simple explanation of the Gospel and truth.  My Gospel vernacular is forever changed because of his sermons.

Bottom line: there is no other sermon resource that has so deeply challenged and changed me.  Get on board.

Rick McKinley

Rick McKinley is the pastor of Imago Dei in Portland.  On the surface Rick awakens my inner surfer.  Is that an accent?  Whatever it is, it works.  McKinley is great on Kingdom and Gospel issues.  He also speaks both practically and pastorally about simple and difficult issues alike.  I rarely hear him preach without feeling compelled to get up and love my neighbor. 

You can grab his podcast or find his stuff at Sermon Cloud or Imago Dei.

Matt Chandler

Matt Chandler is pastor of The Village Church near Dallas.  He is a passionate guy with a solid handle on Scripture, quick wit, and compelling application.  His sermon, "Gravity," is easily the most important message I heard in 2006 (video here).  Matt is my wife's second favorite preacher next to me (I have to say that, don't I?). 

Check out the sermon database for Chandler's sermons or find his podcast at iTunes.

Mark Driscoll

Mark Driscoll, a little known pastor in Seattle (Mars Hill Church), has been a life-changer for me.  Mark preached to my wife and me at least once a week in the first half of 2006.  We would put on one of his sermons while doing "sabbath" on Mondays in my home. 

Driscoll keeps you listening though his humor (which is sometimes over the top), but his content and theology are what feeds.  What he often does best is kick your butt with the truth and open your eyes to the grace of Christ.  We have been so thankful for what we have learned through Mark.

Find his sermons at the MHC site, get his podcast, watch his sermons.

Rob Bell

Rob Bell is pastor of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids.  Bell is a great communicator and may be better known for his Nooma videos. 

I'm sure a few people will gasp at my listing of Bell in my favorite preachers of 2006.  Doesn't he have theological issues?  Doesn't he waver on hell and love McLaren (which for some is essentially the same as wavering on hell)? 

I don't agree with everything I've heard in Rob Bell's sermons (same goes for any preacher).  But I've listened enough to know this guy loves Jesus, strives for Scripturally accurate sermons, and aches to see lives changed by the Gospel.  So even if Bell hiccups on occasion, I can't help but be challenged and compelled to faithfulness through his preaching.

Find his sermons and podcast feed at the MHC site.

Comments

[Chris Gonzalez]

Did you get a look at my podcast library? Those are the same five I listen to. One other for the list is Darrin Patrick at the Journey in St. Louis.

[Pete]

Thanks for this posting. I have found much challenge from Driscoll, Bell and Keller myself and will check out these other guys. I wanted to pass on to you one other guy who is well known in Minnesota. David Johnson at Church of the Open Door. You can check out their stuff weekly at www.thedoor.org. He just wrapped up a 2 year series on a Journey with the Holy Spirit and is about to start a series called following the Rabbi in January.

[Jason Fisher]

Thanks for the tips, I have listened to Rob and Mark for a while now but I look forward to checking out everyone else.

[Michael Foster]

My list is just about the same. Keller, McKinley, Driscoll, and Chandler all are amazing communicators of the gospel! Just take out Bell and replace him with Piper. I just can't get into to Bell because of his doctrine. I really tried! '06 was the year I really discovered Piper. I've know of him for years but just started listening to him last March.

[Steve McCoy]

I love Darrin Patrick, and count him as a friend. I just haven't listened to much of his preaching.

Michael, I've probably listened to 300+ Piper messages in the last 7 years. Bruce Ware used to loan me boxes of sermon tapes when I was in seminary. I've learned a lot from him.

[Steve McCoy]

Oh, and concerning Bell. I need guys who come from my perspective (most of my list) and guys who shake it up a bit for me. Bell does that.

[Michael Foster]

Just to be clear. I figured you had listen to tons of Piper and wasn't trying to say you should had included him (hence yout favorite preachers of 2006). And concerning Bell, while I don't care for him as preacher/theologian, I do listen to him from time to time. He just isn't one of my favorites.

[Steve McCoy]

Michael, I was just "high-fiving" your choice of Piper and explaining why I listen to Bell. I'm not thinking you are trying to be argumentative. :)

[Jeremy Weart]

Good list Steve! I just moved, with my wife, up to Roanoke, TX (which is near Matt Chandler's church in Highland Village).

All I can say is that it took us just 1 visit to know that we will more than likely, God willing, grow old with Chandler and the church. It is that good!

The music is great, the worship amazing (they dim the lights and have candles lit), we belong to a small group from the church, and of course Matt preaches every week. The church is very young (mostly early to mid-twenties) and the atomosphere is energetic and electric.

It is nice to have a preacher who can do expository preaching without being dry, dull or boring. Matt is awesome.

ps - And I second the Piper point! He rocks.

[Michael Foster]

Cool, man! Tone can be so difficult to establish through comments and posts that are written on the fly!

[brett]

I don't know if I could pick a favorite between Driscoll, Chandler and Keller. Between those 3 I must have 5 gigs of MP3s on my harddrive.

[Robert]

Great list. I would put all of them on my favorite list too. I only wish Keller would podcast his sermons too. Driscoll says that pastors should all give their sermons away.

Also, you're right about "Gravity." I have listened to it a couple times, and it is a very important sermon.

[jm]

you should try www.springdalechurch.com David Butler is a pretty good communicator and he likes to talk about Jesus.

[Bryan Riley]

Hey, thanks for this. I am going to have to find time and do some listening to some of these.

[Burly]

I don't mind paying for Tim Keller sermons at all. They are that good! I also don't mind supporting his ministry since he's in a mildly expensive city.

[Michael Bullard]

Like others this is pretty much my list of sermoncasts that I listen to on a regular basis (Keller, Chandler, Driscoll, and McKinley) with (like some others) a substitution of Piper for Bell. I'll admit I haven't listened to Bell -- so I don't really know where to come down on that one.

I also subscribe to Capitol Hill Baptist and get sermons from Mark Dever too...If I can expand to six he would be one to add.

[Ken]

Great list. I only know Keller and Driscoll, and that lauded also-ran Piper. So those other names might help!

Another good reason to pay for sermons by Tim Keller is that Redeemer gives a LOT back to the city. I am in the same presbytery as Tim Keller, and know of Redeemer's work. A higher up in the PCA once told me that many imitate Keller's model but miss the degree to which he has, from the beginning, invested his church deeply in ministries of mercies and justice. Redeemer was doing it before it was cool, and when 9-11 hit, people suddenly realized how valuable Redeemer church members are to the city. Now THAT's a testimony.

I could say more. I've said a lot... sorry.

Ken in New Jersey

[Jason_73]

I agree with the "gravity"sermon. I heard it at the Reform conference and then couldn't hardly stand the wait to have it released so I could share it with other ministry friends. I go through phases and listen to way too many podcasts, then listen to none for awhile. I know this is a bit off the charts, but I enjoy Winky Pratney's podcasts as well for a good change of pace.