Lisa Cressman 7/10/23 Lisa Cressman 7/10/23

Preaching Change? Remind us who we are.

Perhaps there is no greater reason we fear changing our minds than this one: it causes us to question our character, the very definition we have of our “selves.” When we suggest during a sermon that change is needed, the listener hears that that they are not as good as they see themselves. Whether we intend it or not, they hear that we as the preacher—and by extension, God—see their character as lacking. How do we preach change without suggesting a character assassination?

Shaundra Taylor 6/26/23 Shaundra Taylor 6/26/23

The nuts and bolts of holy creativity: Two sources inspiring my creative life right now (a guest post)

“I love reading to and listening to other creatives talk about their craft and process. Their perspectives not only provide practical tools and advice for my own work, they help me feel less alone in this strange space of creation. They help me believe the invisible work I do matters. These two gems offer insight on revision, inspiration, and getting to a finished sermon/story/script/etc. that is greater than the sum of its original concepts and drafts.”

Lisa Cressman 6/12/23 Lisa Cressman 6/12/23

Acts 2 Versus The Tower of Babel: The Key to Crafting a Sermon Your Listeners Understand

Just as the backstory of preachers’ lives profoundly influences the way we interpret Scripture, discern a message, and deliver our sermons, the backstories of each listener and the congregation as a whole are influential in what they hear. One skill can help us connect our sermon message to our listeners’ context and existing knowledge so they can receive the sermon the Spirit intends for them.

Shaundra Taylor 5/1/23 Shaundra Taylor 5/1/23

The Invaluable Role of Writing [Your Sermon] (A Guest Post)

By wrestling through your draft to the point of absolute clarity, you'll build trust with your listener. Because they'll be able to see for themselves—rather than take your word for it—how you reached the conclusion you preach. And this trust will enable them to BELIEVE the Good News you've offered because you've shown, beyond question, how that Good News appeared in the text, what it means, and how its implications matter to their lives now.

Jessica Heatherington 4/14/23 Jessica Heatherington 4/14/23

Preaching Discipleship in a Climate Emergency (A Guest Post)

“Humanity has an extremely short window of time in which we can make a course correction regarding the climate emergency. Preaching discipleship in this time is one of the most critical and effective things that pastors can do to support, encourage, and challenge their people to respond.”

Sean Palmer 1/16/23 Sean Palmer 1/16/23

Preaching for Impact: How Understanding Personality Can Help Your Sermons Connect (A Guest Post)

“Each weekend, our churches gather, bringing with them a beautiful mixture of varied experiences, insights, struggles, gifts, tensions, and reactions to the world, which we call ‘personality’… Personality is our strategy to survive and thrive in the world. It is the wise preacher who spends her time learning as much as she can about the nature of personality and learning to speak to the beautiful variety present in the pew. After all, there is no way to guide hearers into a new vision for their place in God’s Kingdom and mission without meeting them, not just where they are, but in who they are.”

Lisa Cressman 10/17/22 Lisa Cressman 10/17/22

What’s the point? The power of crafting sermons with the end in mind

All parts of the sermon function like a call and response: each initial question answered, each named problem affirmed, each element finding its conclusion in the sermon’s intentionally crafted end. What are you inviting your listener to understand or believe more deeply? Why does it matter? Every word of the sermon lays the path to those answers.

Edgar "Trey" Clark 8/29/22 Edgar "Trey" Clark 8/29/22

Three Homiletical Insights Preachers Can Learn from Howard Thurman (A Guest Post)

Dr. Edgar “Trey” Clark III, Assistant Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, offers three practical preaching insights we can learn from Howard Thurman. “While the goal is not to imitate Thurman, I’m convinced he embodies wisdom that can be applied in relevant ways in diverse ministry contexts today.”

Rolf Jacobson 7/25/22 Rolf Jacobson 7/25/22

Laughing Our Way to the Truth (A Guest Post)

Enjoy this guest post from Rolf Jacobson, Luther Seminary Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry: “Preachers can learn from comedians—especially from stand-up comics. Because like us, they stand up in front of a gathering of people with nothing other than a microphone for protection.”

Shaundra Taylor 7/11/22 Shaundra Taylor 7/11/22

What Your Parishioners Wish They Could Tell You (A Guest Post)

(A guest post). Ever wonder what your listeners are thinking week to week? Consider these three suggestions from a life-long parishioner to ensure your messages connect at a soul-level.

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