Sydney Anglican ministers are gearing up to stir our emotions as well as our minds, after training in the "heart' of preaching at a recent conference held to mark the 150th celebrations of Moore Theological College. 

"We wanted to address the subject of the heart", says College of Preachers conference organiser Col Marshall, of the Ministry Training Strategy.  "Not just preaching to the mind, but taking the word of God and driving it into the heart." 

"I hope we can integrate our terrific theological education with preaching that really addresses the Christian person, the sins and dangers and doubts that we find ourselves facing all the time," he says

Two visiting speakers " the Rev Murray Cappill and the Rev David Jones " showed how great preachers of the past delivered sermons that really engaged their congregations. 

"Good preaching is a package", says Mr Cappill, who teaches a course in preaching at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Geelong, Victoria.  "Lloyd Jones, Spurgeon, and men like that " they had it!  They were tremendously clear.  They weren't at all technical.  But they preach a great God.  Christ and his work" it's irresistible, majestic.  It's that combination of very clear, applied preaching with a robust theology." 

Mr Jones, from the Presbyterian Church in Tasmania, plays a key role in training upcoming ministers, and he is also struck by the sincerity that characterised great preachers of the past. 

"There's a note of pleading, especially from Spurgeon", he says.  "Same with Lloyd Jones.  You'd think that almost on the spot he's thinking of ways of reaching the congregation." 

So what impact did the conference have? 

Mr Marshall said many questions were raised and discussed by the delegates.

"How do you learn to preach like that?  How much Bible study do you put into the sermon?  What's realistic in terms of addressing the emotions?" 

The Rev Dr Richard Gibson, from Moore College and a member of the College of Preachers, which was set up to foster expository preaching in Sydney Diocese, says the conference reminded preachers that they are speaking to flesh and blood people.

"We've got so many great strengths to our preaching here", he says. "But the danger of that intense preparation is that preachers don't take the time to make sure our message addresses people's lives in a direct, challenging way." 

Well, that won't continue, if Murray Cappill can help it. 

"We're heralds of the great king!" says Mr Cappill.  "If you look at church history, nothing has been used by God in strengthening churches, and advancing the kingdom, as much as powerful preaching."