A Four-Week Stewardship Sermon Series on Ps. 50:14
This four-week sermon series on stewardship brings an oft-referenced verse to life by closely examining its meaning. Read on for ideas to preach this stewardship season.
Your Personal Editor: This ONE Question Will Keep Your Sermon on Message
My brother is a journalist who has written longer than I have preached. He now teaches journalism at a university. When I was getting ready to teach seminary homiletics the first time I asked him a question that plagues writers of any ilk: "How do you teach writers not to wander and stay on message?"
I thought that since he's a writing professional and educator he would tell me the "secret:" the right set of questions that any author needs to prevent verbal self-meandering.
His response?
"That's what editors are for."
Thanks a lot, Big Brother!
Per last week's post, yes, that is exactly what editors are for. But without an editor what can preachers rely on instead? A very simple question with three principles.
The #1 Thing You Gotta Know About Good Sermons (you can't get there if you don't know where you're headed)
"That was a good sermon."
"Wow! That sermon hit home!"
"I'm going to think about this one."
"That was your best sermon ever."
You've probably heard all of these comments.
But can you articulate what made the sermon good?
On Preaching and Patriotism: A Work in Progress
July 4th is the USA’s Independence Day, and this year it lands on a Sunday. You might not be a U.S. resident, but you probably face the same questions in whichever country you call home. People around the world blur the lines between national observances and Christian holidays, making preaching on or around those days tricky. Below is an approach to preaching and patriotism to help you preach the gospel so people can hear it.
The Books I’m Taking on Vacation: Summer Reading Suggestions for Preachers
As I prepare to go on vacation in July, not only am I making my reservations and making lists of the various types of clothes I’ll need, I’m also collecting books! I collect and read a wide variety of topics because all of it informs my preaching. Some books help me grow as a person. Some help me revel and delight in God’s creation and humans’ imaginations. Some help me better organize my life. And all good writing, regardless of genre, helps me grow in my craft. Here’s what’s on my summer reading list.
You Should Experience This Preaching Blog
Adults (and kids—have you noticed?) don’t like to be told what to do. When we’re told we should do something, it make us feel defensive and shamed, like we don’t know what we’re doing, like we’re expected to do better or be better than we are. Moreover, shoulds can feel like yet more things to add to an already overburdened day. making us feel defeated and exhausted before we even try—even if we know engaging those activities is likely to do the opposite! How do we avoid this dynamic in our sermons?
Sermon Ghostwriters Now? There Really Is a Better Way.
“His probing questions were about trust: Were the words of my mouth really the result of the meditations of my heart—or someone else’s?”
How to Tell the Story—a Simple Structure for Holy Week, Easter, and Every Sermon
A year ago I wanted to help you prepare for Easter with a series about this simple, save-you-time, quick-to-craft, sermon structure to discern and organize your message. But COVID-19 disrupted everything. I then turned my attention toward preaching into the crisis—and was never able to return to this helpful content. So now, I’m resurrecting the post to show you how to employ this simple story-structure process for Easter (or any sermon).
3 Easter Sermon Examples—Based on a 4-Part Framework—to Inspire Your Preaching
As you craft your Holy Week and Easter sermons, consider this 4-part, general scaffold to discern a message for any sermon—with examples of three Easter-tide sermons to illustrate the concept and inspire your own Easter preaching.
How to Craft a Prophetic Sermon that Bridges the Divide
When emotions and political tensions run high, preaching prophetically becomes ever-more fraught. Using the example of a fellow preacher’s sermon, consider these three components of sermons that offer challenging messages in a way that bridges the divide.
The sermon 52 Framework
Just one hour and $27 to learn BsP’s practice to craft authentic, effective sermons—52 weeks a year.
Get the weekly newsletter
Get practical tips and resources (like this blog!) delivered to your inbox—and rediscover the joy of preaching.
Join our community on Mighty Networks
Find resources and connection in this free, private community for preachers.
Live Lectio for Sermon Prep (Free!)
Get an early start on your sermon prep by joining us live on Facebook (Mondays at noon Central) as we prayerfully discuss the coming week's gospel passage (RCL & NL).
I participated in the Lectio study today with a complicated and double-speak Gospel (John 17:6-19) and WOW! I received so much great insight and am headed in a direction I feel really good about. Thank you to all my colleagues! If you are wondering if this is worth it, wonder no more. It is.
—Donna G.
Current Offerings
The Collective/+
Your go-to community for preaching support and long-term growth. Weekly sermon prep resources, monthly master classes with leaders in the field, seasonal planning sessions, and community for the day-to-day work of preaching—all online so you can participate from anywhere.
Craft an Effective Sermon by Friday
This downloadable eCourse teaches you effective techniques you can apply immediately to craft soul-filled sermons that connect with your audience.
Get the latest book by BsP’s founder!
The Gospel People Don't Want to Hear: Preaching Challenging Messages was written to aid preacher’s in understanding what’s at stake for their listeners so they can craft sermons their audience can receive, even if they challenge cherished beliefs.
I just have to say WOW. I'm so grateful that I made the investment and joined The Collective. These Thursday [workshops] are a game-changer for me.
—Andrea M.