Allen Murray

“The barbarians of the present day are naturally savage in their habits, and as long as they sacrifice to their idols they rage furiously against each other and cannot bear to be a single hour without weapons. But when they hear the teaching of Christ, forthwith they turn from fighting to farming, and instead of arming themselves with swords extend their hands in prayer. In a word, instead of fighting each other, they take up arms against the devil and the demons, and overcome them by their selfcommand and integrity of soul. These facts are proof of the Godhead of the Savior, for He has taught men what they could never learn among the idols.”
― Athanasius of Alexandria, On the Incarnation

“A pastor will not grow except by faithfulness in the study that spills over in the pulpit. A pastor may be popular and even successful in the eyes of the world without this kind of diligence, but he will not have a word necessary for his flock as they walk through trials, struggle with loss, and mourn over their sins. A pastor’s sermon preparation sharpens his pastoral skills.”
― Phil A. Newton, Shepherding the Pastor: Help for the Early Years of Ministry

“Impoverished is the pastor who lacks trusted mentors.”
― Phil A. Newton, Shepherding the Pastor: Help for the Early Years of Ministry

“When pride has made the sermon, it goes with us into the pulpit. It forms our tone, it animates us in the delivery, and it takes us away from that which may be displeasing, no matter how necessary it is, and sets us in pursuit of vain applause. Basically, it makes men, both in studying and preaching, to seek themselves and deny God, when they should seek God’s glory and deny themselves. When they should be asking what they should say and how they should say it to please God best and do the most good, pride makes them ask what they should say and how they should deliver it to be considered an educated, able preacher and to be applauded by all who hear them.”
― Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor: The Duties and Methods of Labors for the Souls of Men [Updated and Annotated]