Ditch Fear. Seed hope.
Everywhere I turn, I hear from neighbors, family, and clergy how anxious they are. Our stress and anxiety are signs of fear. We fear enemies who seem intent of robbing us of our freedom, health, safety, livelihoods, and climate. But while we are living in fear, is God?
Ministry Generalist or Preaching Specialist? Know Your Call
Discerning the priorities God has called you to will help all—family, parishioners, leadership, you—establish proper expectations for your time, preaching, and ministry involvement.
What I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Preaching
I trust you are as capable as I was at finding your way and learning the lessons about preaching that you need. But learning by trial and error takes a long time, and I wish I hadn’t lost so much of mine. Alas, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. So I’m sharing the main challenges I faced along with what I wish I’d known: suggestions to make this preaching life easier—no matter how many years you’ve been in the pulpit!
What Children Can Teach Us About Grief: Joy and Sorrow Are not competitors (A Guest Post)
I've come to believe that one of the greatest mistakes adults make is assuming that because children return to play, they've left their grief behind. But play isn't the opposite of grief any more than laughter is the opposite of love. Children have an extraordinary ability to move in and out of sorrow without feeling the need to explain themselves. Somehow, they know instinctively what many adults spend years trying to relearn: joy and sorrow are not competitors. They are companions.
Preaching & Einstein's Definition of Insanity: 2 Perspectives to Avoid Losing Your Mind
The definition of insanity often attributed to Einstein is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Sometimes, preaching can feel like an exercise in insanity: we present the good news over and over with what feels like little effect. Maybe it's not our preaching that's insane, though, but our expectations. Check out two perspectives that will help you avoid the feelings of futility discourage preachers.
Grounded Confidence, Meaningful Connections, and Preachers
The practice of grounded confidence helps us face our insecurities and develop meaningful connections to build the body of Christ. And we preachers need a sacred space to practice grounded confidence so we can proclaim the good news we’ve been called to preach as only we can preach it.
Is Your Preaching a "Performance"? 3 Guiding Questions
It put the holy fear of God in my heart to realize I had the ability to perform the role of a preacher and be believed and trusted when I shouldn't be. I had skills at the ready to inflate my knowledge of scripture, embellish its presentation to appeal to certain people, or protect myself with silence. So what would guide me to ensure I wouldn't perform as a preacher, but enter the pulpit as a preacher of integrity regardless of the stakes?
"How is your prayer?" A simple question with big impact (A Guest Post)
“Over the years I have discovered again and again that prayer, the interior life, is the backstory to my life, marriage, parenting, ministry, teaching, preaching. As my prayer goes, so goes everything else.”
Preacher, What Do You Think You're Doing?
Beyond giving thanks that a particular sermon connected with some listeners, do you ever stop to ponder what exactly your work as a preacher is?
How to respond to “Don’t preach politics!” (2nd in a 2-part series)
When listeners object that we preached about "politics," emotions rise, adrenaline spikes, and we may feel threatened even when there’s no actual danger. If we react in this state, the risk is high that we might say or do something we later regret.
Bringing the emotions and adrenaline down is necessary to respond clearly, simply, respectfully, and pastorally. Here’s a step-by-step guide to handle these moments effectively.