The generation at the time of Circle Church was anti-cliche. It was continually searching for fresh and vital ways to express its faith. The word “blessing” had been unofficially banned at Circle Church because of its ambiguity. and, we made an attempt to express our prayer in everyday, understandable language, rather than reverting to flowery, mini-liturgical phrases. Our purpose was not to impress the group, but to communicate with God, and we did it in the way which was most familiar, personal, and useful.

The groups prayed conversationally. This basically eliminated the speech making which otherwise often occurs. Each individual limited his or her comments to the maximum time of one minute. The others responded as we felt inclined, just as we would in any other conversation, except that this one was addressed to God.

Typical prayers at our Circle Church prayer groups might have gone something like this:

Cathy: “Father, we pray for Alex who has stated a need for physical strength especially in the face of exams which are coming up.”

Don: “Father, thank you that he has gotten over his bout with the flu. Now help the healing process to continue.”

Bob: “Help him to realize he can’t waste his limited strength and expect you to undertake his cause.”

Cathy: “Give him the discipline to turn off the TV and go to bed.”

George: “Father, I just want to thank you for the way you’ve helped me in this very area of self-discipline. I feel like I’ve grown so much and am really improving. Thank you.”

Darrel: “I pray for the group at the College as they prepare this rock festival as an evangelistic means for reaching students on the campus.”

Bob: “Help the group to be controlled so that there is no rowdiness.”

Cathy: “Also move in the hearts of church members around the area to respond to the need for sandwiches.”

This conversational method provided for tremendous spontaneity and freshness. It was not unusual for the group during prayer to laugh together, a marvelous comment on the un-stilted, natural progress of our prayer life.

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You can learn how to develop highly relevant Sunday sermons that grab the attention of your congregation and help your listeners respond effectively to the deep truths of God’s Word. David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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Everyone who committed himself or herself to participation in the prayer cells on an extended basis could testify to answered prayer. The enthusiasm engendered by this factor motivated us further to seek answers from God which are beyond our human means to provide.

The format of the prayer group, from week to week, could be quite different. We usually began with something that will set a mood for sharing. Perhaps we mentioned areas in which we can give thanks to God, or perhaps we would take time to praise Him with each person contributing.

Individuals may have given a testimony. It could have been that everyone answered the question, “How am I doing spiritually?”

Once, as we shared requests, we stretched our minds to ask, “To which attribute of God does this request pertain?” We may have taken time to read a portion of Scripture. A large part was given to catching up on the progress of the requests from the previous meetings and to redefining additional needs. For actual prayer we may have stayed together in the large group, or we may have broken into smaller cells of three to four people.

Following the prayer time, the hostess would usually prepare refreshments. When we first started the groups, we stipulated that refreshments were not to be served. But, they seem to have become an inevitable thing. I think we came past the point where each woman tried to outdo the one before her. In fact, at one meeting at our house, Karen served apples, popcorn, and orange juice—which happened to be the only suitable things we had on hand.

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Pastor, when “sermon prep day” rolls around each week, do you face the task of preparing another sermon with a frown on your face? If so, you’re not alone. Many pastors literally dread preparing their Sunday sermon. There just doesn’t seem to be an easy solution. The good news: David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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In the discussion about manuscripting a sermon or preaching from notes, there is little question as to which side will win in the long run. Modern technology has already determined that.

When the president gives a key speech, he’s reading it from a teleprompter. He’s very good at what he does, but he’s not talking from notes, or memory, or off the top of his head. His words have been carefully crafted, and they are all right there in front of him.

One of Sarah Palin’s great skills is her ability to read a teleprompter in a natural and convincing way. Can she give a good stump speech when she has to? Yes, and so can most people in the political world. But, when it’s time to deliver a real “blockbuster,” they’re back to the teleprompter.

There is a technique to doing this so your eyes are not locked on the screen. Some speakers are good at this; others, not so much. Like anything else, it is an acquired skill.

“What does that have to do with preaching?” you ask.

Mark my words, in the days to come, the leading churches will have teleprompters and their pastors will put them to use. Why? Because there are so many advantages to using them if you are interested in clear content and powerful words.

In the case of the President, someone else may write the original copy, but that comes out of a brainstorm session in which he has been involved. He will also put his finishing touches on the script.

For years Christian leaders have written books this same way. Don’t tell me they won’t use this technique when it comes to preparing sermons.

Like everything else electronic, in the future teleprompters will also be more and more affordable.

So don’t write off manuscripting sermons just yet. I believe the day is coming when this will be thought as the only way to go!
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No matter what type of Sunday sermon you need to create, David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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The number of times I have had someone ask, “Have you had an answer to that request you gave last week?” would be impossible to enumerate. This is true throughout the congregation. Our prayers are often answered by individuals pitching in when a need is expressed.

If someone has been feeling weak, others minister to him or her. If a person has been lonely, others try to make introductions or extend dinner invitations to alleviate such a problem. If some- one is having trouble with a given habit, he or she is sure to be asked again and again as the days proceed how he or she is doing, if he or she is overcoming.

In fact, just knowing that people are going to check on your progress is incentive enough to overcome a fault, or to work on improvement, or to excel. This is not to say that we don’t experience God’s hand separately from human initiative.

Once while driving to the far northwest area prayer group, I was trying to pinpoint a specific request. Because I am in the groups so often, and because of the constant staff interaction, I may run out of requests! On this particular occasion I felt that God had done so much in my life I hardly knew what further to ask of Him. Yet, the more I traveled the more I remembered the physical tiredness I had experienced and decided that probably it was time for a vacation.

Our vacations have consisted of speaking at Bible conferences and camps, which provided a change for Karen and the children, but was draining for me. What I really needed was to get away for just a short period of time, with a minimum of meetings to cover the cost. That would be perfect!

Alter sharing all this with the group, I distinctly remember one of the ladies saying, “It’s going to be interesting, David, to see how God answers this one.” The following morning I had no sooner arrived in the office than a call came from a church in Florida saying. “Why don’t you and Karen fly down, take several days just to enjoy yourselves, speak to us on Sunday and conduct a few seminars.” Needless to say I was overwhelmed!

A couple from the church volunteered to stay with our kids (I think they knew why God had included Karen in the invitation by the time we returned), and the trip proved to be delightful beyond our expectations!

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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about? Or, what will you preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon? David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions. We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.

For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.

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