A Christmas Message of Hope for a Cynical World
In the midst of disaster, crisis, and discord, how do we preach hope to a world that desperately needs it? More importantly, how do we find hope when our own outlook is jaded by the challenges around us?
Three Sermons in Two Days? No Sweat! How to Plan for Your Christmas Weekend Preaching Marathon
With three sermons to preach in two days, Christmas weekend will demand a lot this year. By starting now, you can ensure you finish without the scramble of last-minute preparations. Check out our guide to find practical ideas to plan and preach creatively for less stress this preaching-intensive season.
The Ten Most Inspiring Gifts for Preachers (2017 Edition)
Wondering what to give the preacher in your life? Not sure what to put on your own Christmas list? Check out BsP's round-up of the most inspiring gifts for preachers—created by preachers (so you know they're items preachers really want!).
Three Sermon Themes for Advent
How do we make the well-known story of Christ's birth new again? How do we nurture the sense of longing and anticipation the advent season suggests? Consider these three themes to help your listeners (and yourself!) connect to the store anew.
Ask a Supply Preacher: What's it Like to Preach in a Different Context Each Week
As churches increasingly struggle to maintain full-time preaching staff, Cathie Caimano of Free Range Priest sees opportunity for a new model. In this guest post, she discusses supply preaching and what it's like to preach in a different context each week.
Four Steps to Writing a Topical Sermon (Even When the Lectionary Seems Unrelated)
Sometimes you just gotta say it.
Sometimes you just gotta address the topic of the day:
- a sudden turn of events for the congregation
- a tragedy
- social justice
- a natural disaster
- the "elephant in the room"
How do you preach a topical sermon and also rely on the lectionary like we're supposed to?
What Not to Preach on All Saints' Day
How do we harness the example of the Saints' stories without leaving our listeners feeling washed up and hopeless? There's one key element that takes the Saints off their proverbial pedestal so they can be a healthy model for our listeners.
8 Steps to Find Your Sermon When the Good News Frustrates, Disappoints, or Makes You Nervous
Why does a Gospel text bother us?
That’s the essential question when confronted with a text we don’t like. The essential answer is this:
The text bothers us because it conflicts with our understanding of God.
Jesus doesn’t always speak or act consistently with our faith.
So how do you find the sermon message when dealing with Gospel texts where Jesus frustrates, disappoints, or makes you nervous? This 8-step process examines the backstory of your faith so you can name your theology, identify the apparent inconsistencies in the text, and then bridge the gap between them.
3 Ways Your Backstory Informs Your Preaching (whether you're aware of it or not)
Maybe you want it revealed. Maybe you don't.
Regardless, it's on display in every sermon.
What am I talking about? Your backstory.
Your backstory is the story you tell in your sermons without "telling" it. It seeps into your sermons whether or not you say the word, "I."
Your backstory is the unique mixture of your theology, childhood, DNA, education, church experience, personality, political persuasion, and so much more. It affects how you approach the Sunday's scriptures, influences your conclusions about them, and shapes your style and the purpose for which you preach.
To preach the message you intend to preach, consider these three aspects of your backstory to help you use your backstory in service to your preaching.
Four Preaching Lessons from Hurricane Harvey
Whether we're in the middle of our own crisis and feel overwhelmed about what to do next, or we want to do something, anything!, to help someone else who is, here are four responses we can offer in our sermons at the intersection of the Gospel and experience.
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Get an early start on your sermon prep by joining us live on Facebook (Mondays at noon Central) as we prayerfully discuss the coming week's gospel passage (RCL & NL).
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.