Last week I mentioned a manuscript (Preaching That Matters) for which I was asked to write an endorsement. Because the book truly impressed me, I was happy to do so.
The author, a believer, is a Ph.D. university professor whose specialty is helping students learn to communicate effectively. So her language didn’t read like your typical book about preaching. For me this was a most-refreshing change. Allow me to quote a paragraph:
This is a book about preaching, or so you thought. Throughout the first chapter I used that familiar word repeatedly. Now, it’s time for a confession. I usually call preaching by another name. I refer to it by the odd and bulkier two-word phrase “sermon communication.” At best, this word choice raises an eyebrow and a follow-up question from pastors. At worst, the term creates defensiveness, and even distance between some clergy and me. Oh, the power of words!
I found this approach to be highly refreshing. It’s like ministers getting to hear what a Christian motivational speaker has to share … or maybe a presidential speechwriter telling us what it’s like to help our chief executive craft his State of the Union address … or hearing a screenwriter explaining how a book is transformed into a movie.
It’s not exactly what we do Sunday after Sunday; nevertheless, the fields are related.
I will share more with you related to this book in the coming weeks.
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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, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will 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 Saturday or 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.
