What Are You Trying to Say? Two Tips for a Clear Message
If you're not clear on what you're trying to say, neither are your listeners.
Tip # 1) When your message is still in your head, test whether it's as clear as you think it is: write or say your message. If you have one simple sentence you're probably good to go. If you don't, use Tip #2.
Tip # 2) Answer the question: "What do I want my listeners to know?"
If you follow these two tips you'll be miles farther to writing effective sermons, guaranteed.
If you want the explanation why these two tips are necessary for every sermon,
read on.
Have you noticed that professional communicators all get editors?
- Journalists
- Authors
- Playwrights
- Screen writers
- Professional speakers
They all get editors as part of the package deal.
I'm Not the Right Preacher for this Job
This is not where I expected to meet you.
I never set out to run an online preaching formation center for Mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy.
I was given this nice little idea to help a few preachers at a time. Work with them one-to-one for a year. Help them get better at preaching but tuck it into a process more like spiritual direction.
But now, here I am. A tucked-away-in-a-corner preacher no one knows is now sending you emails, blogging, getting on Facebook, publishing a book, and inviting you to be part of a preaching approach that's way bigger than you or me.
An Invitation to Preachers this Christmas: Give yourself the gift of time to prepare your sermon
It's a busy time of year, isn't?
I know what it's like to have to wedge sermon prep time into wherever I can get a spare minute. But this year, I have a radical idea: getting ready to preach goes first on my calendar.
As a gift not only to me but to my listeners.
5 Questions to Guide Your Christmas Sermon Prep: How to make the classic story new again
Preaching an original Christmas sermon is challenging.
The Christmas story has been preached so many times, we're tempted to believe there's nothing new to say. The Scripture, the music, the movies, and the sermons we've heard or preached year after year seem to sum up the season quite nicely.
Or do they?
Our Christian story has unfathomable depth.
AS WITH ANY GOOD STORY, EVERY RE-READING AND EVERY RE-TELLING OF SCRIPTURE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER SOMETHING NEW.
How to Respond When Your Sermon Prep Time Gets Moved...Again
Some of us have manageable and set routines for the week which includes sermon prep.
Most of us don’t.
How to Be a Better Preacher When Your Background Doesn't Include Writing or Public Speaking
Did you have a career before you went to seminary? What was it?
Mine was nursing. Surgical Intensive Care. I worked in a clinical setting for four years before heading off for my M.Div.
My nursing training and career helped with many aspects of parish ministry.
Preaching wasn’t one of them.
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I participated in the Lectio study today with a complicated and double-speak Gospel (John 17:6-19) and WOW! I received so much great insight and am headed in a direction I feel really good about. Thank you to all my colleagues! If you are wondering if this is worth it, wonder no more. It is.
—Donna G.
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The Gospel People Don't Want to Hear: Preaching Challenging Messages was written to aid preacher’s in understanding what’s at stake for their listeners so they can craft sermons their audience can receive, even if they challenge cherished beliefs.
I just have to say WOW. I'm so grateful that I made the investment and joined The Collective. These Thursday [workshops] are a game-changer for me.
—Andrea M.