In a planning meeting today for our next series (called The Forgotten God, based on the book by Francis Chan), our worship design team talked about some of the misperceptions people have of ministry that is truly "Spirit-filled."If a preacher stands and announces that...

There are certain things we pastors sometimes say while delivering sermons that run counter to our best interests -- and undermine the effectiveness of the message we're communicating.So here are five phrases I try my best to avoid:1. "If you don't listen to anything...

This past Sunday -- the final Sunday in Sacred Marriage -- was a bit strange for me.As many of you know, I actually write my messages, then spend time "living" with them, and on Sunday deliver them without any notes. I've been doing it that way as long as I've been...

Jerry Seinfeld's comedic genius revolves around his ability to expose the absurd buried in the familiar.Here's are some examples:According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right?...

It hit me hard during Easter week: we preach on what is invisible.Jesus' resurrected body? These days, invisible. The Holy Spirit? Invisible. The promise of life after life? Invisible.No wonder people often struggle to accept what preachers say and what churches...

There are two "one things" that I believe are vital to any effective preaching.The first "one thing" is exactly that: the message needs to center on one thing. One truth. One point. One purpose. The journey to get to that one thing can be full of whimsy or full of...

I am always on the lookout for "hooks" on which I can then hang sermons or series.And the hooks are everywhere: billboards, television, radio, colloquial sayings, the internet, and popular music. In other words, the hooks are in the language of our culture.Because...

I probably spend 20-25 hours a week preparing messages. And 8-10 in pastoral counseling and visitation.Sometimes I wish I could counsel less so I could prepare more; other times I wish I could prepare less so I could visit more.But as I have thought about that dynamic...

I was speaking with a good friend recently about the difference between exhortational preaching and evocative preaching.Exhortational preaching challenges. Urges. Implores. It is filled with phrases like "you should" and "we ought" and "do this" and "consider that."...

In doing the early study for a Sunday message, I often encounter eureka moments.It could be something I read in a commentary. It could be something I scrawl on my notepad as I'm brainstorming around the passage or the subject. Or it could even be something that...