Preaching Tips

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Featured Articles
"It is more blessed to give than to receive," right?
Spirituality
blessedness of receiving, being human, help
"It is more blessed to give than to receive," right?
Spirituality
blessedness of receiving, being human, help

Between Jesus's "It is more blessed to give than to receive" remark and our American ethos, we swallowed the idea that being independent, self-sufficient, and the one to offer help is superior to being dependent and asking for help. But we’re missing something important.

Spirituality
blessedness of receiving, being human, help
Reflections on the Spirituality of Preaching
Spirituality
giveaway, spirituality of preaching, backstory
Reflections on the Spirituality of Preaching
Spirituality
giveaway, spirituality of preaching, backstory

Your life is always preaching. What is it saying?

Spirituality
giveaway, spirituality of preaching, backstory
How to Improve Your Preaching: Learning from the Masters
Craft
preaching experts, Rev. Luke Powery, Bishop Rob Wright, Rev. Jane Patterson
How to Improve Your Preaching: Learning from the Masters
Craft
preaching experts, Rev. Luke Powery, Bishop Rob Wright, Rev. Jane Patterson

One of the best ways to improve a craft is to study and learn from the masters in the field. This week, we introduce you to three respected preaching teachers and invite you to join us in learning from them over the next few months.

Craft
preaching experts, Rev. Luke Powery, Bishop Rob Wright, Rev. Jane Patterson
How Your Sermon Language Shapes Your Community (A Guest Post)
Craft
guest post, micah jackson, sermon language
How Your Sermon Language Shapes Your Community (A Guest Post)
Craft
guest post, micah jackson, sermon language

There may be more than one way you and your community relate to one another depending on circumstances. It’s likely that sometimes you preach as an authoritative teacher, and sometimes you speak from your position as a fellow Chirstian. But then ask yourself: how does the way I talk about myself and my community in my sermon signal those relationships?

Craft
guest post, micah jackson, sermon language
Stewardship Preaching on the One Thing We're Embarrassed to Have More Of
Spirituality
stewardship sermon, preaching time, time talent treasure
Stewardship Preaching on the One Thing We're Embarrassed to Have More Of
Spirituality
stewardship sermon, preaching time, time talent treasure

Most resources we guard and amass as precious stones: money, skill, assets. But there’s one resource we give away as though its scarcity were a badge of honor…

Spirituality
stewardship sermon, preaching time, time talent treasure
Fostering Dialogue across the Political Divide (A Guest Post)
Craft
dialogical preaching, preaching politics, political sermons
Fostering Dialogue across the Political Divide (A Guest Post)
Craft
dialogical preaching, preaching politics, political sermons

How can we preach on “hot topics” in a way that invites dialogue rather than driving a wedge into the red-blue divides of our congregations?  

Craft
dialogical preaching, preaching politics, political sermons
Preachers: "Rest from Your Labors" (A Free, At-Home Retreat)
Preachers: "Rest from Your Labors" (A Free, At-Home Retreat)

You work a lot: ministry, family, chores, errands…the list never ends. Take a rest from your labors with this free, at-home guided retreat. You’ll step back to appreciate your hard work so you’re connected with God in every busy day that lies ahead.

Preaching “God Loves You?” Don’t Miss The Essential Ingredient
Spirituality
Preaching “God Loves You?” Don’t Miss The Essential Ingredient
Spirituality

What signs or symptoms or evidence can we offer that God’s love isn’t a made-up thing “to placate the masses”—or just make us all feel better?

Spirituality
Preaching on Stewardship: Discern Three Meaningful Sermon Themes in Less than an Hour
Process
stewardship
Preaching on Stewardship: Discern Three Meaningful Sermon Themes in Less than an Hour
Process
stewardship

The problem with the typical stewardship sermon approach is it puts the cart before the horse. In this case the “cart” is the outcome: the amount of time, talent, and treasure people give on which the parish budget and programs depend. This cart contains idols of scarcity and desperation to achieve that which is beyond our control. Rather than be concerned about what people place in their metaphorical stewardship carts, we can be concerned about the “horse.” That is, the spiritual needs of our people and the dreams God has for them.

Process
stewardship