Can we complete sermon preparation in four hours? All of us whether in full time or part time ministry have limited time. However, those of us who are called to the preaching…
Connect the Point to Human Experience
The sermon is not a Biblical lecture designed merely to inform the hearer of some interesting facts. It is not merely a place where you can learn different stories from the Bible….
Should You Go To Seminary?
Because of my public ministry, I receive a lot of questions. One question that comes up from time to time is whether the questioner should go to seminary or perhaps the location…
Are You Settling For Good?
Thomas Merton said, “The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.” This reminds me of something that one of my seminary professors said in a sermon. He argued that the…
How Do You Reach The Youth?
A preacher was addressing a youth day service and decided to really make an attempt to get into the mindset of the youth. He wore the clothes of the youth. He attempted…
The Easy Sermon Resolution – Don’t Preach For The Easy Shout
The other day I was listening to a preacher close a sermon about pain. The sermon talked about the pain and struggles of this life. In typical African American style, the preacher closed the sermon with a “celebration.” Here the preacher resolved the pain by pointing to being “hooked-up.”
Practical Preaching Or Kingdom Preaching?
Many call for practical sermons. I have made the same call on occasion. However, the term “practical sermons” means different things to different people. For example, some preachers use the term to…
Are We Building the Kingdom?
I was talking to someone the other day about how often our “kingdom building” is nothing more than “rearranging the seats.” Now don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that you…
Lord Help Me To Hold Out
Perhaps you have heard the song, “Lord Help Me To Hold Out.” It is a call for perseverance in the midst of the storms of life. It doesn’t ask for the removal…
Is Your Turn Coming?
Is Your Turn Coming? This is the biggest question that I get at SoulPreaching.Com so I drew a cartoon. I have talked about it in previous articles and I have even agonized…
The God Who Conserves
I am seeing a lot of shuffling, organization, and reorganization in my life. Many of you have the same experience. Further, I have set aside some tasks only to realize that I…
How Do You Use Greek And Hebrew?
We often hear preachers pronounce Greek and Hebrew words in sermons. Sometimes they seem to be clarifying the message by appealing to an obscure word. Whatever the intent, one can easily confuse…
Sermons that are Willing to be Misunderstood
I have been reading a challenging book entitled The Intrusive Word by United Methodist Bishop William H. Willimon. He argues that being understood is not the ultimate goal of our ministry or our preaching. The ultimate goal is to be true to the gospel that we preach. He says:
Can we preachers respect the gospel enough to allow people not to understand it? (page 19)
Is Relevance and Understanding the Point?
Stealing Another Person’s Sermon – What It Says About You?
Teresa Fry Brown makes a startling statement in her presentation of Charles Adams’ 9 suggestions to preachers found on page 164 and 165 of her book Weary Throats and New Songs. She says: