I have always thought that I would be a better preacher if I had more time. Maybe an hour to read more deeply. Or even just 20 additional minutes to go over it one more time so my delivery is a little smoother...
Every sermon needs to invite a response—how specific and what kind of response is another question.
Thomas offers theological support for the role of celebration in preaching and outlines the characteristics that make up celebratory preaching.
What is one message found in the text this week that will save someone (or some group) who is struggling?
A poem and commentary by W. Craig Gilliam
Fred Craddock used to say, “If a sermon isn’t worth preaching a second time, it probably wasn’t worth preaching the first time.”
Preaching is the greatest honor bestowed upon a clergyperson. Preaching with faithfulness requires serious pondering, if not scholarly study of the Scripture to comprehend not just the words of the Bible, but instead requires one to live with passages of scripture for many hours.
Dr. Buttrick encourages preachers today to preach the same message that was articulated by the prophets and the apostles. He exhorts us to hold up the cross and to turn to the Resurrection as a witness to our hope in the promised power of God.
I have two missions in mind on this topic: introducing the lectionary to those who only preach series and helping lectionary preachers consider another way. In other words, there are strengths and weaknesses associated with each.
Is preaching without notes the gold standard in preaching? The simple answer to this question is, No, there is no single gold standard for sermon delivery. But the question raises bigger issues that deserve a more complex answer.
Beyond Heterosexism shows us the healthy balance between prophesy and pastoral care, guiding us to care for gay and lesbian people in our congregations in a smart and caring way.
© SMU Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence
