preaching covid

Prepare Yourself for Stewardship Season

Prepare Yourself for Stewardship Season

Just as we were settling back into in-person worship, with or without also offering a digital version, the Delta variant of COVID is surging faster than the original version, especially among the unvaccinated. Just when the future was starting to feel a bit more predictable and certain, it’s even harder to put the emotional genies back in the bottle again. Who knows what all of this will mean for parish attendance, involvement, or financial giving? And how do we even begin to ask people to be generous with their time, talent, or treasure in a way that doesn’t sound insensitive to the very real uncertainties for the months ahead?

Redefining "Normal": A Preacher's Ongoing Re-Entry Plan

Redefining "Normal": A Preacher's Ongoing Re-Entry Plan

As many congregations are finding their way back to in-person worship, the temptation is strong to regain a sense of normalcy. But getting back to normal is only worthwhile if the “normal” we knew before is relevant to our present realities. In other words, does what you used to do make sense now? Here are five considerations for “re-entry” after COVID.

Preaching One Year Into the Pandemic

Preaching One Year Into the Pandemic

As the U.S. comes to the end of its first year managing the pandemic, I hear frustration among preachers with each other. The source of tension? A disagreement about the best ratio between preaching lament and joy. To all preachers everywhere, I say: Yes. There is the need for lament, and there is the need for joy. And if we’re not sure about the best ratio, and if we’re feeling a little suspicious of our colleagues who tip a bit more toward one side than the other, then our parishioners are probably feeling the same way about each other—and us.

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Self-Guided Easter Retreat for Preachers

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Self-Guided Easter Retreat for Preachers

As you come down from the monumental work of offering not only Holy Week services, but Holy Week services in a format brand new to most, Backstory Preaching offers this self-guided, at-home retreat to renew your spirit. Download it free and allow God to minister to you as a beloved child of God who happens to lead other beloved children.

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