Recently, I was honored to deliver a eulogy for the adult son of one our eldest church members. After the memorial service, I had 2 conversations with another minister and the funeral director that inspired me to write this post. Here are 4 tips to consider when you’re called upon to preach a eulogy. 1. … Read more
It’s been more than a year since I’ve seen a minister preach from paper. Virtually everyone is preaching from an iPad, Android tablet, or Microsoft Surface. Personally, I’ve been preaching from an iPad for 7 years and have learned some lessons I’d like to share with you. Always have a backup. Technology is great but … Read more
Does your church have screens in the sanctuary? Are you contemplating adding screens to enhance your worship services? If so, I’d like to share some tips with you for using visual media in preaching. 1. Prepare a good sermon. Visual aids are good but they’re not the most important part of the preaching experience. No … Read more
Times have changed. We are living in a new age of information and influence. To be effective in ministry in this present age, we must learn from the examples of those who were leading the church in an unchurched world. With this in mind, I’d like to share a few thoughts with you from Paul’s … Read more
Bad sermons happen. It’s not an issue of “if” you have a bad sermon but “when” you preach one. In those times, it can be for any number of reasons. But, as preachers, pastors, and ministers we learn from those experiences and allow God to correct us, teach us, and refine us. I believe there’s … Read more
Have you ever preached a Saturday Night Special? A Saturday Night Special is a sermon you start preparing at the last minute on Saturday night before you preach it on Sunday morning. For my entire ministry I’ve heard countless seasoned pastors warn against preaching a Saturday Night Special. I’m sure you have too so I’m … Read more
In January, I was blessed with an opportunity to visit the CURE Childrens Hospital in Niamey, Niger, Africa. While there I learned the hospital had several children who were awaiting surgery while the hospital staff increased their nutritional levels. You see, many of the hospital patients come from remote villages where food is scarce. Some … Read more
This month I will be preaching a series entitled “Identity In Christ” taken from Ephesians 1:1-14. We have video screens at our church and software that will allow us to use PowerPoint slides as an aid help people visualize sermon concepts. So each sermon series has a theme image that is displayed on the screens, … Read more
Here is the one question in the Sermon Series Development Worksheet from my book Sermon Series Preaching that keeps me grounded: “How will this series affect the spiritual health of the church?” At the end of the day, every sermon series and every sermon will affect the spiritual health of the church. Their development is … Read more
Recently, I stood to preach a sermon dealing with the the subjects of anger and hatred. I went through my normal preparation and was confident about the content of the message. But I had an issue with the posture of the message. Let me explain. Even though I knew the subject was serious, I really … Read more