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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.
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.”
A New Goal for Preachers: Peaceful Productivity (A Guest Post)
Recently, I guided participants through a process to make space for sermon prep for the multiple sermons they’d be writing for Holy Week and Easter. I encouraged three steps, and while there was some resistance to the third, once completed, I sensed a shift in energy and renewed sense of enthusiasm for the tasks ahead. Read on to energize your own sermon prep with this 3-step scheduling process.
"The earth laughs in flowers": Easter Quotes & Inspiration
Ralph Waldo Emerson writes, “The earth laughs in flowers.” That's a perfect way to think of Easter, too: Easter laughs death away altogether and for good. Emerson's quote is one of many I assembled for your preaching and personal reflections this Eastertide.
Belonging: 5 Keys to Unlock Your Potential as a Disciple (A Guest Post)
The Rev. Karoline Lewis writes, “The Samaritan woman’s encounter with Jesus changes her life and unlocks her potential as a disciple of Jesus. In overhearing this conversation, we discover five aspects of discipleship worthy of our reflection: discomfort, wonder, trust, letting go, witness. This encounter at Jacob’s well should feel encouraging—that our own faith experiences can be trusted. That our own encounters with Jesus are worthy of reflection.“ Read this week’s guest post to better understand and preach discipleship.
Four Tips to Preach Through Change, Loss, & Grief During Lent
Change—and its attendant grief and loss—can feel like darkness, gloom, and storm clouds are gathering on the horizon, which makes Ash Wednesday the perfect time to explore those feelings in our sermons. Here are four tips to preach through change, grief, and loss during lent.
Connect With God During Lent: 3 Steps for Contemplative Sermon Prep
This is the most intensive season of the year for priests and pastors. With Ash Wednesday, Holy Week, multiple services for Easter, plus extra Lenten parish educational activities, there’s a lot to prepare for. Before you feel overwhelmed, though, let’s do a quick review to remind ourselves what will help your sermon prep—and all your preparations—to be holy, from your heart, and as efficient as possible.
A Creation Care Preaching Guide to Lent (A Guest Post)
Earth-keeping is found in every corner of the Bible. Each Sunday the scripture readings feed our abilities to envision living harmoniously with the rest of creation in all its forms. The RCL passages during Lent, for example, give us images that are windows into healthy and whole living.
Lenten Quotations for Preaching and Reflection (Free Download)
Curated for your inspiration, this collection of quotations about Lent can be used to guide your sermon development or to spark personal reflection. Download yours for free here.
Uncovering Our Theological DNA: A Review of “Preaching the Manifold Grace of God”
As with any aspect of our backstory, the more we're aware of the ideas, events, and beliefs that shape us, the less prone we are to fall prey to blindspots, biases, and unexamined perspectives. These books make the job of theological self-examination and awareness much easier.
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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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