Monthly Archives: November 2007

by | November 30, 2007

Back-Burner Sermon Study

In ministry we often live under the tyranny of the urgent. Sunday comes about every three days, or so it seems. Often we are hard pressed from every side, not only in terms of sermon preparation, but all the other … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preacher's Personal Life, Preaching, Stage 2 - Passage Study

by | November 29, 2007

Breaking Writing Rules for Manuscripts

As you may have read in previous posts, I think the best approach is to prepare a full manuscript, but then to preach without notes. The full manuscript allows you to sculpt and craft the language carefully in order to … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 7 - Message Outline, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | November 28, 2007

Incoherent Preaching

Very few preachers are incoherent.  Yet many preachers are incoherent.  Before you accuse me of being incoherent, let me explain.  The other day I sat through a sermon from a visiting speaker.  I may be my own worst critic, but … Continue reading →

5 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 4 - Passage Idea, Stage 6 - Message Idea, Stage 7 - Message Outline

by | November 27, 2007

Review: Communicating for a Change, by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones.

Let me be honest. I love studying the subject of preaching. I want to be a lifelong student of the subject. But if I’m honest, a lot of books about preaching are somewhat dull, tedious, repetitive and unengaging. Not this … Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching, Review

by | November 26, 2007

Spirituality’s Ignored Ingredient

Peter Adam wrote that when it comes to spirituality there is a curious phenomena in Protestant Christianity. In our bookshops we can find much on the subject from Catholic, Celtic and Orthodox sources. But strangely there is often very little … Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, Preacher's Personal Life, Preaching

by | November 25, 2007

Preach Like It May Their Last

If you are preaching today, it is tempting to be caught up in your own world.  Concerned about your presentation, the details of the sermon, even the peripheral details that you didn’t delegate to someone more passionate about them.  But … Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 5 - Message Purpose, Stage 6 - Message Idea, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | November 24, 2007

Urgent Needs in the Pew, Urgent Changes in the Pulpit?

As I wrote my post yesterday, a package arrived. Having made a guess at how Andy Stanley views preaching, I received his book on preaching. I will soon post a review of the book. But let me share something from … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Audience Analysis, Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 5 - Message Purpose

by | November 23, 2007

Imposing Points On a Text?

In response to the Lazy Preaching? post, one reader asked the following questions – “Does not one run the risk of ‘imposing’ on the text your desire to extract one point? Should not the number of point(s) be driven by … Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Homiletics, How to . . . ?, Preaching, Stage 2 - Passage Study, Stage 4 - Passage Idea, Stage 6 - Message Idea, Stage 7 - Message Outline

by | November 22, 2007

Lazy Preaching? – Part 2

Well yesterday’s post stirred more response than usual!  Andy Stanley stated his point in strong terms, which probably sparked some response.  While as an Englishman I might state the same point in a slightly more understated way, I do urge … Continue reading →

8 Comments

Filed under Homiletics, Preaching, Specific text, Stage 5 - Message Purpose, Stage 7 - Message Outline, Stage 8 - Message Detail

by | November 21, 2007

Lazy Preaching?

Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community Church, made a passing comment about lazy preaching in an interview with Preaching magazine.  He was talking about his desire to come up with a statement, a takeaway point in a sermon.  His … Continue reading →

9 Comments

Filed under Delivery, Homiletics, Preaching, Stage 2 - Passage Study, Stage 5 - Message Purpose, Stage 6 - Message Idea, Stage 7 - Message Outline, Stage 8 - Message Detail