by Soo-Inn Tan | Mar 6, 2026 | 2026, God's Word, Preaching & Teaching
Recently I spoke at a church that uses the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) as its main Bible translation. I believe they would have used the English Standard Version as an alternative. I have no problems with these translations and find them useful in many ways. But...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Feb 27, 2026 | 2026, Family, Preaching & Teaching, Rest & Busyness, Work & Vocation
“Dad, you love ministry more than me.” Once, one of my children said that to me. Of course life is usually more complicated and resists being reduced to one statement. But, essentially, he was right. I graduated from theological college in my early 30s and began my...
by David Wong | Oct 31, 2025 | 2025, Happiness, Preaching & Teaching
I was teaching recently at a seminar in Indonesia. As usual, I tried to break the ice by beginning with a humorous story. No one laughed. Except maybe my interpreter. Later, I asked why. “You are a pastor,” I was told, “Pastors are supposed to be...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Feb 9, 2024 | 2024, Mentoring, Preaching & Teaching
They were the dynamic duo of Bible teaching. OMF missionary Dr Lucille Ramish had a PhD and brought big-picture, academic rigour to the teaching. Another OMF missionary, Mrs June Lane who hadn't had the privilege of graduate studies, brought home the...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Jan 26, 2024 | 2024, Preaching & Teaching
In the early days of my preaching, I would write out my notes on note cards and bring my note cards to the pulpit. I rarely wrote out my sermons in full nor did I try to memorise them. I wanted more eye contact with my audience. But I was nervous about...
by Soo-Inn Tan | Feb 17, 2023 | 2023, Preaching & Teaching
If you were to lead a group of Christians in some serious Bible study, which book would you begin with? I once asked a church leader and he said he would start with the book of Romans. He acknowledged it was a tough book to begin with, but he suggested that if...
