Preaching Tips

Whenever you “preach” Ash Wednesday, the ashes take precedent.  Sometimes, it isn’t so much what we say, as what people “do” to embody their faith. The use of a liturgy or sacred time of ashes can be supplemented by an elaboration of the scriptures and the ritual with thoughts and prayers, or…

I remember once preaching about Light, and just when I mentioned it, by chance, the sun came out and began streaming through the stained glass.  People gasped.  You can’t get better than God’s intervention.  But you can use your own means to help people experience and envision what you are…

Sometimes, we forget that children can be involved in worship as much as anyone else.  Let them read the scriptures, even if it means keeping a stepping stool at the lectern.  Allow them to help collect the offerings.  Let young people join in the music programs. Allow them to speak about…

Involve your people in your sermon.  If you are talking about bells, mention your bell choir, knowing they will understand intimately what you are referring to.  If you are talking about basketball, mention that young man or woman in the congregation who plays the game.  If you are talking about…

Animations make preaching more accessible!  The more you preach from metaphors, the easier it will be to use animations in your sermons. Animations can be props, visuals, songs, or any kind of interactive that people can touch, hold, or participate with. The more people can touch your metaphor, the more…

Don’t be afraid to tell the “Story.”  Sometimes we are so intent on making our own “points” that we forget that people need to know and hear the Story.  As we enter into this time between the Christmas season and Lent, make sure that people truly “hear” the Story of…

No matter how or why or where….a baby is always a blessing.  Mary became pregnant unexpectedly, but despite the danger of her family, village, and future husband’s reactions, she chose to praise God!  Make sermon time a time to celebrate your babies.  Schedule baptisms, have special times for people to…

The Christmas season is a time when people need to be able to “understand” Christmas in a way different from the glitz of shopping, the twinkling of lights and smell of turkey and ham, the sounds of Christmas music, and the excitement of presents.  Take them back to the baby…

The last thing you want is for people to drift off during your sermon.  In fact, you can see some people “settle in” when the sermon starts….predicting that it will be something they want to “coast through.” Make the sermon dynamic, interesting, creative. You want people to look forward to the…

Advent is a time when we stop and remember the story of Jesus and the birth of God’s promise realized in the world.  What better time than to hear the stories of your people whose lives have been touched by that promise.  Give people time to tell their stories, to…