Who are the People in Your Neighborhood? How Knowing Your Neighbors Will Strengthen Your Sermons
“In my work, I frequently meet clergy who don’t know their neighborhood colleagues, or only know the people in their own faith traditions, or only know those in their own ideological bubbles. They don’t know the leaders of local food pantries, transitional housing shelters, and other social services except in a transactional way: the clergy are valued for the donation they can organize or what sound bite they can give.
What if clergy took the time to build relationships in the community and in the congregation? What happens when we take the time to get to know the people in our neighborhoods?”
Disaster after Disaster: How to Preach So Listeners Don’t Tune Out
When natural disasters, political crises, and social injustices occur week after week, compassion fatigue can set in. What are we to do in the face of overwhelming need? Preachers can help their listeners avoid becoming numb, irritated or unresponsive, though. Read on to find out how.
The Key to Preaching in a "Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous" World
Perhaps many of us don't need Dr. Johansen to tell us a frightening and chaotic world is only going to get worse. What may be more surprising is to hear Dr. Johansen's outline for a counter-narrative: hope. He says this time of chaos is fertile ground for creativity, innovation, and a improvement.
How do preachers participate in this counter-narrative?
How to Fund Your Continuing Education—and Why it Matters
If the parish budget doesn’t cover the cost of the continuing education, and we feel we need to be the best leader and preacher we can be, why might we be reluctant to ask for it? After all, our continuing education is for them, the ones we serve.
Our parishioners are not only the recipients of what we learn, they are also investing in the future of the Church when we take what we learn wherever we serve. In short, asking for continuing education to be funded is not a transaction, but a sacred ministry partnership.
A 3-Step Review to Preach More Compellingly and Joyfully This Year (& All Year)!
Complete this 3-step review to preach more compellingly and joyfully this year (& all year)!
See Yourself as Beloved—and Change the World
I learned a journaling practice that has changed my life. I think it could change yours, too.
"The Earth Shall Yield its Increase": The Cost of Severing Work from Worship (A Guest Post)
Scripture offers us a vision of human life grounded in three deeply intertwined covenantal relationships: God, humanity, and the earth. But these three vital relationships have been broken by sin, leading to a distorted theology of worship, work, and rest.
5 Biggest Blocks to Effective, Creative Sermon Prep
How we set ourselves up for sermon prep makes all the difference in our experience of preaching. Consider these five common mistakes preachers make that block effective, efficient sermon prep. When we overcome these obstacles, our creativity expands, and we craft sermons we believe in and are excited to offer. Are any of these blocks keeping you from a vibrant preaching life right now?
Christmas Gift List for Preachers (2023)
Each year I create a gift list for preachers with suggestions that are hint-worthy to drop with Santa, loved ones, or parishioners. This year’s suggestions are sure to delight and inspire you in 2024, and most will even help save the environment beyond that.
I suggest them because they put a smile on my face, and if you are lucky enough to receive any of these, I hope they will bring a smile to yours, too. Enjoy!
"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.