I. Grant Spong

Cairns Baptist Church
, Queensland 4870

• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Master of Theological Studies
• Experience: Over 50 years pastoral experience in churches in Australia, USA and Europe. Author of dozens of books, mostly on Christian topics. Forgive me, but after a week of in-depth Bible study, I find most sermons to be just a small snack. If they quote the Bible, that's a good thing. I am not interested in stories about your dog, golf game, fishing, or some other ego-centric story. I'm interested in Christ and the scriptures. Give me Bible or sit down and shut up! Please, forgive my bluntness, but we have only 20-45 minutes to share the most important message on the planet with a mostly disinterested audience. Don't waste our time with trivial pursuit! May God bless you in this!
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: My sermons are not the last word. They are conversation starters. Please feel free to disagree with me, just don't be disagreeable and argumentative.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Gospel sermons.
• One of my favorite illustrations: The best ten minute sermonette I remember is one my father-in-law preached. He spoke about his experience plowing with horses, and that to plow a straight furrow, you have to keep your eye on the goal, and not look back. Those who look back plow a crooked line and are not fit for the kingdom of heaven.
• Family: Family in both the USA and Australia.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Preach what Jesus taught. Don't preach feel good, gimmicky, empty headed fluff. Just preach Jesus.
• Books that have had an impact: I am an eclectic Christian who sees value in 2,000 years of Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant literature where that literature is faithful to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
• Hobbies: Music, painting, writing, videos.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Nothing satisfies like Jesus. Listen to him. Read what he has to say. Stay in a church where Jesus is preached.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: I was in Czechoslovakia at a church festival and about to introduce some special music. The services were in German. My German was imperfect. I introduced the music as being played on the Geflügel (poultry) instead of the Flügel (grand piano). I was preaching behind the iron curtain and heard that the KGB was listening in, so I said I was also KGB, Kingdom of God Boys. Later that day a hotel staff member told me that the KGB was indeed listening in and they liked my joke.
• What I want on my tombstone: He preached Jesus.

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