Monthly Archives: July 2007

by | July 31, 2007

Snapshot or Replay?

Van Harn presents a helpful analogy for us (Preacher, Can You Hear Us Listening, p53).  When you preach a biblical text, do you preach a snapshot or a replay?  Sports journalists use both.  Immediately after a key moment in a … Continue reading →

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Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | July 30, 2007

Manipulation in Proclamation

As preachers we are called to do more than inform the mind.  We are not lecturers.  We are not called to achieve a stated goal by any means possible.  We are not salesmen.  So how are we to navigate the … Continue reading →

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Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, How to . . . ?, New Testament, Preaching, Specific text, Stage 4 - Passage Idea, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | July 29, 2007

Review: Preparing Expository Sermons, by Ramesh Richard

Sub-title: A Seven-Step Method for Biblical Preaching Sub-sub-title: The Scripture Sculpture Method Ramesh Richard teaches preaching at Dallas Seminary as well as around the world in a noteworthy international ministry.  His cross-cultural training and ministry experience gives his book a … Continue reading →

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Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Review

by | July 28, 2007

Why Some Sermons Are Not Fresh

There are many reasons why a preacher may struggle to prepare a message that is really fresh and vital. Here are three to be aware of and guard against: 1. Schedule pressure – The reality for most of us is … Continue reading →

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Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 2 - Passage Study

by | July 27, 2007

Hey Preacher – You a Prophet or a Priest?

I’m not using prophet or priest in the full biblical sense.  I appreciate the terminology though as it is easier to remember than the terms I’ve used to teach this same point in the past (so thank you Dave Stone … Continue reading →

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Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | July 26, 2007

Review: Preacher, Can You Hear Us Listening? By Roger Van Harn

I was surprised by this book.  I am not sure what I was expecting, but I was both blessed and challenged by it.  The focus of the book is on listening, both to God and to people, by the preacher … Continue reading →

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Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Review

by | July 25, 2007

Speaker Introductions

I have heard a lot of introductions.  I’m not writing of those by the preacher, but those about the preacher.  My ministry has never been in a solo-preacher church.  So with different speakers (be they team members or visiting speakers), … Continue reading →

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Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | July 24, 2007

That Message from That Text?

It is vital that the listener be able to see how the message comes from the text they are looking at. The credibility of the speaker matters, but the credibility of the Bible matters more. It matters that people listening … Continue reading →

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Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Specific text, Stage 1 - Passage Selection, Stage 2 - Passage Study, Stage 4 - Passage Idea

by | July 23, 2007

Preaching Resource Teams in the Local Church

I know some pastors who love this idea. I know others that seem to flee from it. Consider it. Consider approaching a group of people in the church and ask them to be part of your Preaching Resource Team. 1. … Continue reading →

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Filed under Audience Analysis, Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | July 22, 2007

Using a PC in Preaching Preparation

It is so easy to take technology for granted.  Some of us have access to more tools than we know what to do with.  Others who read this may have access to relatively little.  Just for fun, here’s my top … Continue reading →

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Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 2 - Passage Study, Stage 8 - Message Detail