Resurrecting the Easter Story
You can resurrect the impact of Easter by learning to tell its story more effectively. By helping us empathize with a character’s desires, you’ll pull us in. When you tease out what’s at stake and the conflict it creates, you’ll keep us engaged. Add sensory details, and we’ll live the story with you. Then show us the resolution and the transformation so we’ll see change—a new way of living—is possible.
Holy Week & Easter Preaching Inspiration
As you preach this Holy Week and Easter, may you find the words your listeners need in this season of this year. To that end, we’ve put together this collection of wisdom and inspiration to nourish and refresh your own spirit. May you be good news to preach good news.
Save Time This Week With these Lenten Resources
Since this is a tight week with extra sermons, I'm sharing with you our resources for the First Sunday of Lent—for both the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary. I hope these resources inspire your preaching and streamline your process.
Before Preaching Lent, Go on Retreat—At Home!
Take time before Ash Wednesday to reflect, to sort your thoughts, to let Christ bring you wholeheartedly and single-mindedly into those forty days with this free Lenten retreat for preachers.
To Do or Not to Do: The Hidden Costs of Ministry Decisions
Every time we assume responsibility for a plumbing leak, a pastoral care request, a new bible study, the church bulletin, an email newsletter or blog, a staff meeting, a new initiative, etc., something else is lost. The problem comes when we keep saying yes without recognizing the corresponding no. As a result, we say goodbye to any semblance of a sabbath, to family togetherness, or to the peace of mind on Sunday mornings that comes from delivering a well-prepared sermon.
A Preaching Economy (A Guest Post)
Our people listen to us. They take what we say to heart. It’s our holy responsibility to find the courage to say it.
The Simple but Misunderstood Key to Keeping Listeners Engaged: How to "Show" Rather than "Tell"
It’s often hard work for adults to get literal when it comes to using the five senses. We tend to leap from image to meaning so fast we don’t recognize what we did. But that leap fails to draw our listeners in, to make them feel something. And the more your audience feels, the greater the impact of the story and your sermon.
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.
Happy Preaching New Year! A Wish & A Challenge
If your preaching schedule in 2019 felt out-of-control, all-consuming, or even non-existent, this is the challenge—and year—for you. It’s likely a few strategic tweaks can help you enjoy (and improve!) your preaching life without feeling like it’s running your life. Begins January 7th. Join today!
Preachers, Be Renewed through a Christmas Retreat—at Home!
It’s Christmas Eve.
In no time at all your Christmas sermon(s) will have been preached, the excited little angels put to bed, the presents unwrapped and the feast eaten, and then…?
…Go on retreat.
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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.
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