Category Archives: Preaching

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What’s Your 95 MPH Fastball?

Find it. Keep throwing it.

A couple of months ago I had lunch with one of those Yodas–those wise, older pastors who have been in ministry so long they ooze wisdom without knowing it. This gentleman could offer commentary on nearly anything and it would be laced with something helpful. He’s been at the same congregation for more than thirty years, and in ministry for more than thirty-five years.

That takes some doing. It doesn’t just happen. It takes something to live one’s life with integrity in a fish bowl, make the sacrifices full-time ministry asks of you, help grow a church over decades, and still smile a lot—after nearly forty years. Such pastors are my heroes. I hope to be one of them.

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How to Plan Your Sermons a Year in Advance

Have a Process

I’ve extolled the virtues of advanced message series planning for years on this blog, but I realized I’ve never really described the process in detail. So, here it is. This is only my process, but I’m sure there are better ones out there. However, it’s worked for me for years. Here’s my step by step guide to planning out sermons over a year.

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Friday Stream of Consciousness – 154

Joey Bosa, Getting Older, and Misguided Change

stream of consciousness

Here’s what’s on my mind this morning: One way you can tell a religious movement or church that is doomed: when confronted with decline, they don’t seek people who have “done it well” for a long time and consider real change. Instead, they find churches, theologians, etc. that allow them to remain the same to […]