BsP's Preacher's Christmas Gift List (2020 edition)
The Backstory Preaching Annual Preacher’s Christmas Gift List has a theme: getting through the rest of the pandemic while preparing for the resumption of activities after (God willing) we have an effective, widely-distributed vaccine. Check out this year's favorites!
Resources for Preachers at the Time of a National Election
Preaching God’s kingdom in the midst of a national election is fraught. Backstory Preaching has put together a collection of Scripture, quotations, church prayers, and additional resources to buoy your faith, help you remember that you do not carry this burden alone, and provide guidance for your preaching and leadership over the next few intense weeks.
Your Guide to Preaching Resources During the Pandemic
From information about the pandemic to preaching strategies to stories that will inspire and lift your listeners’ spirits—you’ll be able to return to this collection again and again in the coming weeks.
My Three Preaching Resolutions for 2020
I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions. January 1st has always felt like an arbitrary date to begin the things I know I need to do. However, three goals of mine happen to coincide with January 1st as the start date. Perhaps these goals—or resolutions—will inspire you and your preaching.
This Christmas, Preach about Jesus's Wheelhouse
Aiding your listeners to enter 2020 with clarity about their wheelhouses might be the very best gift they receive this Christmas.
Advent Sermons: Quotes & Inspiration for You
Download your free collection of quotations and reflections to strengthen your personal devotions, journaling, and sermon writing as you prepare perpetually for the coming of Christ.
The Surprising Key to Writing Your Sermon Faster
There are times when muscling a sermon from the blank page through gritted teeth is actually counter-productive. When more is actually less. And when effort is not proportional to results. When we find ourselves dreading the blinking cursor at the top of our empty document, we may want to try a different tool than pure effort.
Easter Inspiration to Guide Your Eastertide Preaching
What might happen were we to learn a few more notes of God’s song of resurrection? What few notes might we add to our own song of being healed, set free, unafraid? And then, what might happen were our new notes to be sung from the pulpit?
A Preacher's Meditation for Good Friday
"Christ suffered in freedom, alone, apart and in shame, in body and spirit, and since then many Christians have so suffered with him."
A Preacher's Meditation for Maundy Thursday
"Not by annihilating the wicked, not by forcibly eliminating evil from among humankind is righteousness to be realized; the Lord wills to rehabilitate the world by turning sinners from evil ways that they may live. And we must admit that this is more difficult than the use of force."
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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.
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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.
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