I Do Not Think "Amen" Means What You Think it Means: 5 Ways to Better End Your Sermon
Ending a sermon with “Amen” is both redundant and ill-fitting with the purpose of a sermon. In truth, though, most preachers aren’t worried about these technicalities when they finish with “Amen.” They simply don’t know how else to conclude. Consider these five types of conclusions for a more effective close instead.
"Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis"
“What we believe leads us to what we must reject. Our “Yes” is the foundation for our “No.” What we confess as our faith leads to what we confront. Therefore, we offer the following six affirmations of what we believe, and the resulting rejections of practices and policies by political leaders which dangerously corrode the soul of the nation and deeply threaten the public integrity of our faith. We pray that we, as followers of Jesus, will find the depth of faith to match the danger of our political crisis.” From Reclaiming Jesus
Want to Write a Good Sermon? Listen First, Write Later
How can you really know what your listeners need from a sermon? It may be as simple as asking. John McClure, the Charles G. Finney Professor of Preaching and Worship at Vanderbilt University Divinity School, suggests collaborative preaching for sermons that meet listeners in their questions and need. Check out four ways to tap into the power of collaborative preaching for your own sermons.
Making Sense of the Trinity: Should Preachers Even Bother?
What does the trinity mean in our current contexts? How should we as preachers approach the concept? Or should we at all?
9 Ways Looking Ahead Saves Sermon Prep Time
For busy preachers, looking ahead at the preaching season may seem to be a luxury you can’t afford. But taking the long view can actually save you time. Learn why this practice can better your preaching and discover how to set up your own seasonal sermon prep.
God Wants Something More Important than Your Help
Sometimes in our efforts to help God, we forget that God wants something else.
Was Your Easter Sermon Effective? 6 Elements to Help You Evaluate and Know
Now that the the candy's eaten, the dishes are washed, and the schedule has settled back into something resembling normalcy, take a few minutes to reflect on your Easter sermon. Was it effective? How would you know? Using BsP's 6-elements of an effective sermon, see where you excelled and where you can grow for your next sermon.
A Preacher's Meditation for Good Friday
"Christ suffered in freedom, alone, apart and in shame, in body and spirit, and since then many Christians have so suffered with him."
A Preacher's Meditation for Maundy Thursday
"Not by annihilating the wicked, not by forcibly eliminating evil from among humankind is righteousness to be realized; the Lord wills to rehabilitate the world by turning sinners from evil ways that they may live. And we must admit that this is more difficult than the use of force."
A Preacher's Meditation for Wednesday of Holy Week
"One only has explored
’The deepmost; but he did not die of it."