3 questions to guide sermon prep for special occasions or crisis circumstances (A Guest Post)
“As people of faith, we believe God is present and active and has a word to offer to us in all times and seasons of our individual and corporate lives.” In their book, For Every Matter under Heaven: Preaching on Special Occasions, Donna Givers-Johnston and Beverly Zink-Sawyer address specific preaching occasions that arise from calendars, celebrations, or circumstances—leading preachers through a process of preparing sermons that seek and then speak God’s word for the occasion. They introduce us to their approach in this guest post.
The Ten Biggest Mistakes Preachers Make in Stewardship Sermons
Our sermons about stewardship can feel heavy with the burden of making ends meet.
Given these stakes, it’s tempting to preach from scarcity rather than abundance, to exert pressure rather than issue an invitation, to emphasize monetary bottom lines rather than spiritual transformation.
There's another way to preach, however. Learn to recognize these ten mistakes preachers make in their stewardship sermons so you can craft sermons that invite your congregation to participate in God's abundance instead.
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.
At-Home Christmas Retreat for Preachers (2022)
Merry (Early!) Christmas! After tending to everyone else's spiritual and celebratory needs, it will finally be your turn! Inside is your free, downloadable, at-home Christmas Retreat to rest, reflect, and renew your spirit.
Christmas Quotes for Reflection and Preaching
The Advent season is filled with preparation, talk, and often the stress of gift-giving for Christmas, so this year’s collection of Christmas quotes focuses on gifts, and THE gift of Emmanuel that puts all other gifts into perspective.
2022 Annual Christmas Gift List for Preachers
This year’s suggested gift list is an eclectic mix your loved ones will be delighted to give you to help you relax, grow, and tend to your spirit in the coming year.
Advent quotes and inspiration for your Advent sermons
Download your copy of this year's Advent Quotes to inspire you and your sermons: "Advent: The Season of Longing."