One of the most important tools for preachers is the hymnal. Sometimes when I tell new preachers that they look at me as if I am asking them to sing a solo before their sermon. However, even if you do not plan to sing a note, the hymnal contains tools to help you preach.
Category: blog
Handouts and Preaching – Growing a Ministry
Craig Webb at Lifeway has an article where he discusses the use of handouts in preaching. Webb defines a handout as
a sheet of paper you handout to the congregation which helps them follow along with your sermon. It could include the title of your sermon, the main points of your sermon with fill in the blanks, and printed verses of scriptures and scripture references.
Audio 20 – Weary Throats and New Songs
A discussion of Teresa Fry Brown’s book. What can we learn from our preaching sistas?
In addition, how can the ministry of music as a metaphor help our preaching? These questions guide the book Weary Throats and New Songs.
We Preach Because We Cannot Do Otherwise
I remember an elderly instructor of preaching told his students that if you can do anything else, do that rather than preach. There are a few ways to interpret the statement. One could argue that if you have the ability to engage in any other activity besides preaching then go do that.
The Preacher and the Congregational Distraction
Peter Mead at the Biblical Preaching site refers to something that I suspect is very common. That at the most inopportune time a distraction happens. It may be a baby crying. It may be someone walking out in a distracting way. It may even be someone showing up late.
What About an Appeal?
Personally, I think just about every sermon should end in an appeal. But what should the appeal entail. I would suggest that the appeal have a three-fold focus.
Accept the Message
Audio 19 – To Whoop or Not
Should Black Preachers whoop? Does whooping degrade our sermons? Is it an unnecessary detraction? This audio looks at these and other questions in reference to whooping.
Memory Principles and Features for your Preaching – Part 1
The fundamental aspect of the memory system is to connect the thing you want to remember to your brain in a solid fashion. Tony Buzan, in his book Use Your Perfect Memory cites 2 fundamental principles that will aid you in your memory work. In our next post, we will look at the features.
Soul Stirrers – God has been a Shelter for Me
Someone has put up another classic video of the very influential group “Soul Stirrers.”
Perfect Memory and Preaching Without Notes
Remember those infomercials about “MEGA-MEMORY?” Kevin Trudeau wrote spoke about learning some techniques to strengthen one’s memory. After seeing the thing for years, I finally purchased the system off of ebay for a big reduction in cost.
The Real Work of the Preacher
Sometimes, especially in the Black Church, preaching is seen as glamorous. This is completely understandable. Seeing someone who has been called of God powerfully living into that call by proclaiming the word is a very attractive proposition. All of us whether preacher or not are called to live into our call powerfully like this. However, becuase the preacher’s job is so visible, we can lose track of the fact that the vast majority of our work is behind the scenes.
Audio 18 – Increasing Intensity in the Black Sermon
How do you increase the intensity of your sermons? Preachers often do this by increasing volume, but that can cause difficulties. Find other ways to bring power to your preaching in this audio.
What Should the Congregation Remember?
The Unashamed Workman has a short article where the editor quotes John Stott answering the question what should the people remember from our sermon?
He writes:
Audio 17 Components of an Effective Preaching Service
What can worship leaders do to provide an effective preaching service? In this audio we will discuss a few things that preachers can do to ensure that the worship services they are a part of are effective vehicles for the proclamation of the Gospel.