When I first began my ministry, many years ago, one particular song seemed to be a favorite of the men, women, boys, and girls attending Wednesday night Prayer Meeting. It had been written by Fanny Crosby with music by John R. Sweney. It was titled “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.” The first verse and refrain went like this:

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

This song exactly illustrates the point I wish to make. Storytelling is a very powerful tool for pastors to use in crafting their sermons. Well-told stories help the people in the congregation remember the key points the pastors wish to make.

I believe so strongly in the power of storytelling that I have made it the topic of Podcast No. 207. If you would like to hear what I have to say about this potent topic, I invite you to click the link on this page that will take you to my Sermon-Coach.com website. Once there, you will be able to listen to this Podcast.

Storytelling takes a bit of a longer form than merely sharing a simple sermon illustration—though giving an illustration is sort of a form of storytelling. But, I’m talking about a much more powerful technique than simply sharing an illustration. Listen to this Podcast and see if you agree. Okay?

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For quite a few weeks now, I’ve shared with you about my new book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. You may order the book at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives information about how to make your sermons memorable. And, it also gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said.

 

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

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

 

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Why do we preach sermons each week? As a pastor, have you ever asked yourself that question? In the midst of your hard work to prepare a message from God and deliver it to your congregation, do you ever have just a moment when you wonder what it’s really all about?

Most pastors do have at least an occasional moment or two of self-doubt. But that’s not really what I’m asking you about. What I’m really asking you is whether or not you’ve ever taken the time to think carefully about what the ultimate goal of your preaching really is.

In Podcast No. 206, I spend some time sharing with you my assessment of the ultimate goal of preaching. I not only offer my opinion on this goal, I share some illustrations that will help make my point. I do this because I believe we ministers must give serious thought to whether or not our preaching is meeting this goal in a meaningful way.

If you would like to hear what I have to say about this subject, I invite you to click the link on this page that will take you to my Sermon-Coach.com website. Once there, you will be able to listen to this particular Podcast. At the very least, I think you will find what I have to say interesting, if not challenging.

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For quite a few weeks now, I’ve shared with you about my new book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. This book is scheduled for release in early May. In the meantime, you may pre-order the book at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives information about how to make your sermons memorable. And, it also gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said.

 

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

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

 

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Once, many years ago when I was a young man, I had been invited to speak at a youth rally. Apparently there had been a mix-up in the dates and I noticed that another speaker was advertised. In any case, when it came time for me to speak, the person introducing me stepped to the microphone and said, “I’m not sure who he is or why he’s here. But, here he is anyway.”

I can easily laugh about that experience now. At the time, it was a bit unnerving. I mention it because I have come to believe that when we pastors have someone come to fill our pulpits, it is the pastor’s responsibility to see to it that guest speakers receive a proper introduction, even if the pastor is not present in the service.

The introduction is so very important. It sets the tone for the guest speaker. And, it helps connect the guest speaker to those in the congregation. A proper introduction will peak the congregation’s interest and make them eager to hear what the guest speaker has to say.

In Podcast No. 205, I offer a number of pertinent suggestions for pastors who plan to have guest speakers come to their churches. There are several very significant considerations with which a pastor must deal in crafting a proper introduction.

If you would like to hear what I have to say on this topic, simply click the link on this page that will take you to my Sermon-Coach.com website. Once there, you may listen to this Podcast. I hope you will find it helpful, especially for those of you planning to have guest speakers fill your pulpits this summer.

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For quite a few weeks now, I’ve shared with you about my new book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. This book is scheduled for release in early May. In the meantime, you may pre-order the book at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives information about how to make your sermons memorable. And, it also gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said.

 

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

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

 

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I really like puzzles. I’ve always like puzzles. As a young person, I greatly enjoyed going to a particular store where I could browse a wide range of magic tricks. I would buy a magic trick and practice and practice and practice until I could perform that trick flawlessly.

Even now, at the age of 78, I still greatly enjoy working Sudoku puzzles. Some doctors tell us that working puzzles will help keep our minds sharp in old age. I just enjoy working them. And, it’s interesting that I have learned a host of strategies that help me solve the puzzles much faster than I did when I first started working them. Practice, practice, practice—until we get it right. That seems to hold the key.

Practice helps perfect our development and delivery of sermons, as well. That’s one of the reasons why I have laid out my “Sermon-Coach Method of Sermon Development.” That method contains a number of strategies I have learned that can help perfect the sermon-development process.

In Podcast No. 204, I once again take the time to illustrate how to apply this “Sermon-Coach Method of Sermon Development.” I do this because I believe that practice makes perfect. Helping pastors see the process in action will help them begin to apply it effectively in their own ministries.

If you would like to listen to my comments on this subject, I invite you to click the link on this page to go to my Sermon-Coach.com website. Once there, you will be able to listen to this Podcast.

I hope you will find my comments helpful. I want to spend these last years of my life helping pastors—pastors just like you—to become as effective as possible in sharing God’s truth for the benefit of the members of your congregations.

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For quite a few weeks now, I’ve shared with you about my new book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. This book is scheduled for release in early May. In the meantime, you may pre-order the book at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives information about how to make your sermons memorable. And, it also gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said.

 

---

Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

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

 

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