The carnival strongman concluded his impressive act by taking an orange in his powerful left hand and squeezing it. What remained was then put into his right hand, and again he groaned and squeezed until all that was left was peel.

“Five dollars to anyone who can get five more drops,” he said, opening his hand to show the challenge.

Well, a murmur went up throughout the crowd. But a little bespectacled man decided to try. His appearance brought polite laughs until he squeezed what he was given and steady drops, far more than five, were produced.

Amazed, the bigger man gulped, “How did you learn to do that?”

“I’ve been a deacon at our church for 32 years,” was the reply. “I’m in charge of taking the offering.”

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Have you read my latest book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday? This book is available at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said from the pulpit when they come to worship services in the church where you serve as pastor.

 

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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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Ever found your mind wandering during a worship service? Hey, the next time you lose interest in what’s going on, I have a suggestion.

Pretend you have been sent to church on a secret assignment by Jesus, to report personally to Him on how things are going. So, make notes during the service about what is good and what’s not.

Then use your list to later tell the Lord your observations: “Jesus, this I think you’ll like. But this desperately needs improving.”

What you’ll find is that my suggestion becomes a good way to begin praying for your church. See, that’s what, in time, the reporting actually becomes. It’s a prayer time.

Good idea, huh? Well, I kind of thought you would like it. Now try it.

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Have you read my latest book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday? This book is available at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said from the pulpit when they come to worship services in the church where you serve as pastor.

 

---

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.

 

(398)

 

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Do successful churches spend a lot of money on advertising their services in the newspaper? Yes or no: Do growing, successful churches usually spend much on ads?

Researcher George Barna says, “No.”

These churches are growing because the regular attenders consistently invite their friends to attend the church with them. Hey, that’s a novel idea. Why didn’t we think of that, heh? Well, it’s right.

Church growth comes from a congregation enthused about being the family God wants us to be. So, if you are enthused about your congregation and inviting friends, do you know what? You can save your church some advertising dollars.

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Have you read my latest book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday? This book is available at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said from the pulpit when they come to worship services in the church where you serve as pastor.

 

---

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.

 

(397)

 

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I was speaking at a conference where the pastor taking the offering talked about fractured Scriptures. It’s how people take verses out of context. “And that’s not good,” he said. “For example, you know the passage in 2 Corinthians 9: ‘For God loves a cheerful giver.’ But very seldom do you hear the next part of that verse quoted.”

My memory tried to bring to mind what followed.

“Well, that verse goes on,” the pastor continued, “‘For God loves a cheerful giver’… but He’s also open to receiving generous donations from a grouch.”

Naturally, we all laughed, which put us in a good mood to give.

Let me just remind us that any kind of giving to God or to others is best done, not reluctantly, but truly with a heart that is full of joy.

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I continue to feel very grateful and am humbled by the many positive comments about my latest book entitled The Sermon Sucking Black Hole—Why You Can’t Remember on Monday What Your Minister Preached on Sunday. This book is now available at Amazon.com by clicking here.

This book gives some solid tips to the people sitting in the congregation to help them remember what you’ve said from the pulpit when they come to worship services in the church where you serve as pastor.

 

---

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.

 

(396)

 

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