Preaching Tips
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Music –Preaching Tip for 12-6-15
Sometimes your “sermon” can be a musical one. Some of the best theology comes from advent and Christmas hymns. Try something new this season –and create a sermon in which you sing part of it. You could compose a “jingle”….. or put new words to an old song. You could…
Advent already! –preaching tip for 11-29-15
Wow! Advent comes fast. And with it, all of the trappings of commercial Christmas! Although people seem busier this season, I daresay, they need more sermons not less to remind them of what’s truly important in the advent time leading up to Christmas. In our culture…Christmas comes and skips right…
Holiday Blues – preaching tip for 11-22-15
Preachers typically get discouraged when they have to do a unique sermon for the same holidays every single year. What is there left to say? Thanksgiving is one of those holidays when you can give it a little twist. Want a sermon starter? Try looking at any one of the…
Connections Are Important –Preaching Tip for 11-15-15
Connections are all important. “You can’t lead someone on a journey of faith to meet Jesus if you don’t first take their hand,” says comedienne Anita Renfroe. If you want people to listen to you, you need to first connect with them, so they trust you enough to take your…
Just Pray –Preaching Tip for 8 November 2015
Always pray. Before your sermon, always pray that the voice of God might be heard. Prayer not only puts your sermon into the hands of God, and allows God to use it, change it, empower it, but prayer also puts you into a place of humility. Prayer instills confidence. It…
Use a Mic –Preaching Tip for November 1, 2015
There’s nothing sadder than a great preacher whom no one can hear. Wherever you are preaching, you’ll always be helped to have a mic. Even if you have a booming voice, with a mic, you can use more emotion, more inflection in your voice, you can even drop to a…
Let the Children Come… Preaching Tip for Oct 25, 2015
“Let the children come…” said Jesus. Preachers, we need to take Jesus’ lead to heart. Most preachers are only preaching to those 30 and up… if that. You need to preach in a way that involves all members of the congregation –yes, even the children! Be participatory. Use examples that…
Nerves –Preaching Tip for October 18, 2015
Nerves come from fear of not living up to an expectation. If you ever played an instrument in a concert or for a recital, or if you had to sing a solo, or if you had to do anything on stage, “nerves” are a frequent hazard. But…. preaching is not a performance!…
Keep Your Agendas Out of the Pulpit! –Preaching Tip for 10/11/15
We all have our own opinions, economical and political. We have biases and thoughts on everything. But the pulpit is not a political soapbox. There will be both republicans and democrats in heaven! When the church focuses on Jesus, and allows the Holy Spirit to guide its ministries, it will…
Scripture –Preaching Tip for October 4, 2015
Make sure your sermon has scripture in it! While it’s fine to relate your sermon to everyday life, make sure your sermon is not just a series of “wise” sayings or psychological tips. Sermons that build upon scripture remind us why we are there –to worship Jesus!