A Day at the Olford Center

This morning I drove to Memphis to spend the day at the Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching. Founded by Stephen Olford in 1985 to encourage and equip preachers and teachers of God’s Word, the work is ably carried on under the leadership of his son, Dr. David Olford.

Through seminars, evening classes, conferences and distance learning, the Olford Center (now a part of Union University in Jackson, TN) trains pastors in the art and practice of expository preaching. This week the center is hosting two doctoral courses, one on the basics of preaching and the other on preaching from the Old Testament.

I spoke in chapel and then led a discussion on preaching and social media in the 21st century for the afternoon seminar. I’m smiling as I write that because five years ago, I had never heard of social media. But now nearly everyone everyone uses Facebook or Twitter or YouTube. At one point we talked about “on-demand” preaching, which for us meant preaching that is simple, clear, and to the point. The pressure of today’s world has made us all impatient. We get frustrated if our emails aren’t answered in 24 hours, and we want instant response to every instant message. So when we come to church, the preacher had better not mess around talking about trivialities. Get to the point, preacher! Tell us what’s on your mind if you want us to listen. 

I especially enjoyed spending a few minutes with Mrs. Heather Olford who is now 86 or 87 years old. I only know that because she mentioned her age to me. Mrs. Olford is full of life, energy, and the joy of the Lord. She told me about the time Billy Graham heard her husband preach on Ephesians right after World War II. When Stephen Olford came to the filling of the Spirit in Ephesians 5:18, Billy Graham said, “I’ve never heard that before.” The two men spent two days together in Bible study and prayer, a time that Billy said revolutionized his life. It was a bit of living history for me. 

Pictured above is the class I taught. Dr. David Olford is seated and Dr. Ted Rendall is second from the right. 

The Olford Center is a unique oasis in the busy heart of a major American city. They do an invaluable work training pastors and Christian workers in the art and practice of Spirit-filled expository preaching.