So here we go. A Christmas Story Christmas. The iconic, irreverent, enduring movie that many people watch every year as a sacred rite of the season. So we’re going to explore what it is about this film that makes it such an institution in so many homes. Why do people have line after line after Read the full article…
There are two “one things” that I believe are vital to any effective preaching. The first “one thing” is exactly that: the message needs to center on one thing. One truth. One point. One purpose. The journey to get to that one thing can be full of whimsy or full of pain or full of Read the full article…
I am always on the lookout for “hooks” on which I can then hang sermons or series. And the hooks are everywhere: billboards, television, radio, colloquial sayings, the internet, and popular music. In other words, the hooks are in the language of our culture. Because that’s the language people speak, isn’t it? Regardless of people’s Read the full article…
I probably spend 20-25 hours a week preparing messages. And 8-10 in pastoral counseling and visitation. Sometimes I wish I could counsel less so I could prepare more; other times I wish I could prepare less so I could visit more. But as I have thought about that dynamic in recent weeks, I have come Read the full article…
I was speaking with a good friend recently about the difference between exhortational preaching and evocative preaching. Exhortational preaching challenges. Urges. Implores. It is filled with phrases like “you should” and “we ought” and “do this” and “consider that.” It implores people to change beliefs and behaviors based on the propositions included in the sermon. Read the full article…
