S09E10 | What Preaching Is and Isn’t: Dr. David Oliver
Season 9 Episode 10 | What Preaching Is and Isn’t
The scenario presented in this episode of On Mission is the following: a teen boy with no Christian background is saved while reading a gospel tract, immediately seeks a Bible-preaching church, and eventually becomes a preacher. Who would write that narrative? Only God. And that is guest Dr. David Oliver’s story.
Dr. Oliver, a pastor and Maranatha’s board chair, discusses with host Dr. Matt Davis his mission to preach. They explore what preaching is and isn’t, its essential components, how it parallels authoritative legal constructions, and the effects it should elicit. Dr. Oliver’s quest to engage another generation in selfless ministry (which he pursues through mentoring summer interns) is also Maranatha’s mission—a mission he is responsible to protect as a board member. Noting his own legal profession and his guest’s pastoral ministry, Dr. Davis pointed out that God has a calling for each one of us, whether it is nursing or education or business and humanities. The degrees that MBU offers, those the world thinks of as secular, they are ministry degrees when used for God’s glory.
Listen to this and other podcasts here.
About our guest
Dr. David Oliver served for four years as an evangelist speaking in camps, conferences, and revival meetings. In 1994, he became pastor of Ashley Baptist Church in Belding, Michigan, where he continues to serve. Dr. Oliver regularly blogs and is author of two books—The Ten Commandments, a compilation of sermons, and Wind in the Sails, a look at the need for fervency in preaching. In July 2024, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for MBU. He and his wife Penny have three grown children and three grandchildren.
Watch, like, and share Dr. Oliver’s YouTube episode here.
