Backstory Preaching's Year in Review
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Happy New Year!
2017 was quite a year.
Between caustic politics, natural disasters, and cultural reckonings, preachers faced an especially difficult year in the pulpit.
The Good News of Christ's love, mercy, and redemption is as necessary as ever.
In the midst of the world's challenges, we faced plenty of our own! This was our first year to support you in your preaching craft, process and spirituality.
Backstory Preaching is grateful to have been part of your preaching in 2017. Check out what you've been a part of building—in just one year!
2017 By the Numbers
10,900+ website visitors from 50 states and more than 60 countries on 6 continents
18,900 website page views
500+ followers on Facebook
53 blog posts
744 newsletter subscribers
300+ participants in BsP's courses, including our mentorship, camps, webinars, Live Lunch-Hour Lectio on Mondays, and independent study e-Courses and Guides
10+ denominations represented by our participants, including American Baptist, Church of the Brethren, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Mennonite, Southern Baptist, United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist.
100% of Mentorship participants recommended the Mentorship to colleagues for 2018
Countless emails spontaneously sent to express appreciation for BsP's work, content, or courses
BsP's Most Popular Content in 2017
1. The 10 Biggest Mistakes Preachers Make in Stewardship Sermons
2. The Myth of How to Save a Shrinking Church
3. 4 Preaching Lessons from Hurricane Harvey
4. A Frank Conversation About the Real Relationship Between Preachers and Stewardship Sermons
5. 8 Steps to Find Your Sermon When the Good News Confuses, Frustrates, or Makes You Nervous
What would you like to read more about in 2018? What challenges do you face?
Let us know, and you might see your question/concern on a blog in the coming weeks or months.
Testimonials Received in 2017
Whether someone's completed one of our eCourses independently or participated in a live course, our participants have found themselves renewed, inspired, and ready to approach their sermon prep and preaching in a new way.
"I've re-discovered the joy and wonder of preaching."
"Preaching does come from our life. Making that connection has been huge."
"You helped me believe I could preach."
"Backstory Preaching is the best thing I've done for my ministry and reducing sermon prep stress. Getting to work with other clergy is great, too! I can't say enough good about it!"
"I felt like I was learning A LOT, even after three decades of preaching."
"I learned how an increase in prayer led to a deeper understanding of scripture and a reduced amount of time for writing."
"The [material] has completely changed my sermon preparation!"
"My favorite part was the intention that [when we preach], we are sharing something that transformed us—not teaching, lecturing, educating, etc."
Thank you!
You're telling us we're on the right track to help you preach even more effectively in 2018!
Exciting Announcement for 2018!
Lisa Cressman, the Founder and Steward of Backstory Preaching, has a book under contract with The Liturgical Press, set to be released June 15th, 2018! An accompanying workbook will be available on the BsP website closer to publication.
Get the wisdom of BsP's core ideas plus new content in book format, and integrate it into your heart and preaching practice with the workbook.
Backstory Preaching: Integrating Life, Spirituality, and Craft is available for pre-order now! Get a copy for yourself, and share the support by purchasing a copy for your colleagues!