What Matters Most When the World Is Falling Apart
This woman facing certain death learned not only to manage her fear but to embrace it until it no longer consumed her or directed her actions. In these times where there is much to worry us, consider these lessons on how to preserve humanity—yours and others’.
Bridging the Language Gap in Sermons: Four Ways to Ensure “Church Words” are Meaningful to Your Listeners
There is a risk of misunderstanding when we use certain “church words.” We say a word, intending one meaning, but our listeners hear or interpret something else. How do we ensure our listeners actually understand what we mean? Consider these four approaches to bridge the divide.
"There's a joy in delivering the good news better": A Case Study
Ever feel like you’re missing something in your preaching life? You’re not alone. And you’re not without options.
"Really—How Hard Can Preaching Be?"
Why do so many parishioners find themselves in pews, week after week, listening to sermons that are vague, confusing, boring, discouraging—or that simply don’t connect? And what can preachers do to change the dynamic?
There’s a ’T’ Missing from Your Time, Talent, & Treasure Stewardship Sermons
The three T’s of stewardship are treasure, time, and talent. But perhaps there should be a fourth.
2 False Premises When Preaching a Stewardship of Time—and One Question to Ask Instead
When preaching on the stewardship of time, it can be tempting to preach either scarcity or sentimentality. Neither helps our parishioners. There is one question, however, that can.
How Our Failure to Preach on the "M" Word Damages More than Parish Budgets
The “M” word consistently makes preachers squirm, perhaps because it’s so wrapped up in our livelihood and the sustainability of the church. But money impacts so much more than our salaries and budgets. It’s a critical influence in nearly every aspect of a parishioner’s life. So our silence on matters of finance may be hurting the very ones we wish not to discomfort.
Do Your sermons Suffer from a "Vitamin C Deficiency"?
We often fail to understand the ways our everyday choices impact our environment and, in turn, our neighbor's quality of life. As preachers, we have an obligation to illuminate this reality and invite our listeners into a new dimension of relationship with their neighbors through creation. And not just on Earth Day.
9 Ways to Ensure Your Last Sermon of the Weekend is as Strong as Your First
When you preach the same sermon across multiple services, there can be a drop in energy, enthusiasm, or presence as the morning wears on. How do you maintain focus and attention so that each event receives the fullness of your abilities?
How Kurt Vonnegut's Failed Thesis Can Make You a Better Storyteller
Why do we care about a story’s shape? If Christ has redeemed all, ensuring every story ends above baseline, what is the purpose of exploring what comes before? We ask different questions—and discover different answers—when we're honestly following the story's shape into every moment.
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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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