6241 State Route 47 E :: Bellefontaine, OH 43311 Average Attendance: 200+ Contact Information Jim Lawlor jiml@rushchurch.com Position Description Rushsylvania Church of Christ (Rushchurch) , a church with modern facilities, that averages 200+ people weekly, is seeking a full-time senior/preaching minister. Applicant must have excellent communication and mentoring skills; Must demonstrate a compassionate missional approach to the ministry and to the
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Rushsylvania Church of Christ (Rushchurch) Bellefontaine, OH Preaching/ Full Time
Allentown, PA Contact Information Dick Brown or Kay McLane (610) 351-7711 KathleenMcLane@aol.com Position Description Children and Youth Coordinator(s) Do you love working with children and/or youth? Do you have a passionate love of God as known in Jesus? We at the Barn, an emerging faith community in the Lehigh Valley, PA are excited to partner with someone who has passion to equip
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The Barn Allentown, PA Youth/ Part Time
Some preachers think that there are two legitimate options in preaching, but to go further would be wrong. Legitimate would be to exhort listeners – that is, to appropriately pressure their will to obey the Lord, respond to the gospel, etc. Legitimate would be to educate the listeners – that is, to feed information to their minds so that they know more and can therefore make better decisions. But the next step? Well, many people think the next step beyond the will and the mind is to address the emotions, and that, of course, would be wrong. It must be wrong to address the emotions since that can so easily seem like manipulation. I would agree that it can become manipulation. I would agree that manipulation is wrong. But I still think our preaching has to go deeper than mind and will. How?
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Exhort, Educate . . . Manipulate?
If you have read any book on sermon composition, or studied preaching formally, you will have come across the two basic approaches to shaping a sermon – inductive and deductive. Both have strengths and weaknesses, both are useful. Yesterday I preached a message that was essentially inductive. I began by introducing the basic concept and made a promise – “I want to show you the greatest song of all time.” The message progressed by setting the scene for the book (an OT prophet), and surveying the content of the book to give a feel for it’s scope and intensity. The focus narrowed to the final section of the book, then finally onto the central feature of that final section. In the last minutes of the message, the place of final emphasis, the greatest song ever became evident. This is one example of an inductive approach. Often used when an audience is antagonistic to the main idea of the message (as in Peter’s message on Pentecost), but not exclusively so, the inductive approach has some real strengths. It does give you time to overcome antagonism and lower defences. It does allow time for intrigue to build so that people actually want to hear the main idea by the time it is stated. It allows for final stress to be placed on the most important thing. Inductive approaches to preaching can be complicated and daunting. They often require a different set of skills from the preacher: not least the ability to build trust and maintain interest for the entire message. But we shouldn’t feel daunted. Perhaps with the next message it is worth considering the option of not stating the main idea at the end of the introduction. Instead give the question or the incomplete sentence only, leaving the answer (or complement) until later on in the message
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Save the Best for Last
December 13, 1862
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Fredericksburg Battle
Between his campaign against President Gerald Ford in 1975-76 and his race against Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan delivered more than 1,000 radio broadcasts, running about three minutes each, writing nearly all of them himself.
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Reagan on secularization of Christmas
It is not unusual to hear that a leader is in a lonely place. After all, church leadership, like all leadership, is a difficult place to be. There are stresses and strains not only in your own life, but also the burdens of others that you care for. There are confidences to keep and decisions to make that effect so many. As a preacher the problems are perhaps compounded by the solitary nature of the preaching ministry (most tend to prepare alone, then “recover” alone too). Some of this loneliness is unavoidable. The unique stresses and difficulties have to be acknowledged and lived with. Being a preacher is often a lonely road and the emotional ups and downs in some ways simply have to be accepted and pressed through. However .
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A Lonely Place
Always on the search for good loops?
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Free Worship Loop – SnowFlake
The old saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Maybe. Practice can also ingrain bad habits. I think it was Howard Hendricks who said that “evaluated practice makes perfect” (inexact quote, please comment to correct wording and source!) I want to offer a suggestion for “evaluated practice” that can really help. First the obvious sources of feedback, then the more obvious one. Obvious sources of feedback – While you may not have pursued it diligently, you’ve probably considered asking listeners for feedback on your preaching. Perhaps you’ve handed out evaluation sheets to a select few, or perhaps you’ve asked for feedback on a specific issue of content, clarity or delivery. Perhaps you’ve sent your mp3 to another preacher or trusted friend for critique. Perhaps you’ve gone so far as to form a preaching team that includes non-preachers, creative communicators, etc., to evaluate and feed into your church’s preaching. The more obvious source of feedback – Perhaps this is so obvious, but it’s worth a mention. Feedback as a form of evaluation is something you can also do for yourself. Don’t just do this yourself and avoid the input of others, but don’t miss this either. After preaching, why not carve out some time to prayerfully evaluate the message. What went well? How did the time slip away in the middle section? Which transition felt clunky? When did attention drop? If possible, sometimes listen to the message and ask the same questions, plus, How much variation is there in vocal punch, pitch, pace and pause? Now and then get a video of yourself and also watch for eye contact, gestures, expressions, movement, etc. Whatever you do, whether it is thinking back over the message, listening to it, or watching it, be sure to make some notes. Perhaps have a journal of sermon evaluation. That journal will offer nudges in the right direction, and great encouragement when problem areas become strengths in time.
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Practice Makes . . . ?
and reasons why you can start this Sunday. If you don’t see a video box, click the title.
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Reasons why people don’t come to church
Listen, before I go on a rant… hey, I’m over here… and sound like I am berating all dog lovers… I said, over here. Yoohoo… I love a good puppy dog as much as the next guy but… YO! Are you listening to me or do I have to remove this picture?! That’s better
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PETA gets Christians barking mad and butt naked with Jesus
There are many stories in the Bible, and this is one season in the year when most of us are preaching stories. In some ways Bible stories give the preacher an advantage. For example, stories offer a flow, a plot, a progression, that can be replicated in the message (although it amazes me how many preachers try to preach a story without telling the story!) Also, stories offer vivid images and allow for effective description. But how do we forge the connection between “back then” and “today”? A few thoughts, I’m sure you could add more: Don’t just historically lecture, but preach to today. It is easy to fall into the trap of presenting what happened back then, but not recognizing the enduring theological significance for today. People appreciate hearing about what happened, but they deeply appreciate it when the preacher can emphasize the relevance of that happening to us today.
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Connecting With Story
Real Southern Baptists are giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering! These guys hip hop to tell the life of Lottie. “Errbody in da church helpin’ Lottie.” Thanks to George Robinson for the link.
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Lottie Moon: Are you helping?
I was pondering the passage I preached yesterday. It was Matthew 1 – the genealogy and Joseph’s dream. I engaged with the text, tried to preach it with it’s own emphasis, and emphasised the relevance to us today. A couple of comments afterwards referred to the new or different angle or take on the story. So why was it new? I don’t think it was. I think I preached the text according to the prompts in the text. I don’t in any way think my message was somehow better than others, but I have pondered what might be expected from the preaching of that passage that I didn’t do, or vice versa. Perhaps one of the following explanations clarifies what was supposedly new or different?
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Why Is This New?
In the midst of the storm occasioned by the perfectly awful bill being proposed in the Uganda legislature, the wringing of hands about who speaks for The Episcopal Church on such matters and how long it takes to get a statement out, and the election in Los Angeles of The Rev. Mary Glasspool to be bishop, a major regrouping of the Church Center staff is taking place with almost no notice at
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Regrouping at Church Center
On November 23rd a terrible massacre took place in Maguindanao, on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The National Council of Churches in the Philippines has spoken out and Episcopal News Service has followed up with THIS STORY.Now we have a statement from the Episcopal Diocese of the Southern Philippines signed by the bishop, THE RT
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Restore Peace with Justice following Maguindanao Massacre
This week in video evangelism, we have a harrowing video that may cause you some pause before you hit the streets for your daily errands. I suppose I’m struck by the deluge of post-apocalyptic films I’ve seen in theaters recently. Perhaps, I’m trolling my own decaying humanity thinking of what Jesus has saved me from and
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Cross Eyed: What if God disappeared?
I tend to agree with the notion of there being a difference between small church and big church. A small church, perhaps under 100 people, will tend to have strengths that can become weaknesses in a larger church, perhaps over 200 people. For instance, in a small church, low standards of music and preaching will be smiled at since everyone knows the individual who is “trying their best.” But once that church grows through the transitional stage and becomes bigger, such low standards become more counter productive. Visitors (and there will probably be more now) don’t know the individual up front and the whole dynamic doesn’t work quite so well. While fellowship is often a strength in smaller churches, it takes deliberate work to achieve that in a larger church. The emphasis on “up-front” standards inevitably increases as a church grows.
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The Challenge of Consistency
It is no surprise that the war in Afghanistan is high on the list of issues of highest concern this week. Many of us are waiting for the President’s announcement of the way in which his administration will work to end this war. The war continues, with our support of a shaky, limited and corrupt government and unclear endgames, and with mounting casualties from various armed forces in the
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Does the Church have anything to say about the war in Afganistan?
Just in the nick of time, heeee’s baaaack. I was getting concerned Jesus didn’t have enough airline miles to make it to Earth for a cameo, but as always Wall Watchers (say it with me)… He may not be early, but he’s always right on time. Amen! Meet Mary Jo Coady from Methuen, Mass.
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God Sighting of the Month: Ironing out your salvation
Episcopal Cafe, over in its Video section, posted a video from the Australian Board of Missions (ABM). The simple story of mission here is multi-layered, involving several different cultures and communities and even further afield a whole partnership of Anglican communion agents and ecumenical actors.The primary work is by (i) a group of young people from Resurrection Parish in Fairview, on the
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Mission at its best in the Anglican Communion
This week in video evangelism, we have a stark reminder of someone we have all met – that one legalistic blowhard for Christ who, in a dire attempt to witness with every waking moment, turns off every individual within throwing distance. This hilarious video beautifully illustrates those dense folk. I knew a guy that I
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Cross Eyed: How not to witness
Choir from our alma mater, Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC. (Thanks Rhett).
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Come Ye Thankful People Come
These are just little things, and mostly I say, “Why bother.” But it ticks me off when people who know better, are better and could be best, mess with my brain cells in such obvious but sloppy ways. I am of course NOT speaking of spelling or grammar! I am from the school that contends that we, after all, are professionals and screwing around with the language is our right.
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The truth slips and slides away … but who cares?
The news that there will be a telephonic meeting of Executive Council on December 7th, called by members of Council to address the concerns of members about the anti-gay, anti-freedom of speech, homophobic legislation being considered in Uganda is good news. Difficult, but good.The news is of course good because in its own strange way the church is getting itself together to make a statement of
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Moving from corporate governance to incorporated governance
WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend us hitherto in our conflicts with our enemies as to be unto them a shield. And whereas , with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him, belongeth the victory, and in humble dependence upon His almighty strength, and trusting in the justness of our purpose, we appeal to Him that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and humble them to confusion and shame. Now therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, in view of impending conflict, do hereby set apart Friday, the 15th day of November, as a day of national humiliation and prayer, and do hereby invite the reverend clergy and the people of these Confederate States to repair on that day to their homes and usual places of public worship, and to implore blessing of Almighty God upon our people, that he may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes and altars from pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity.
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Jefferson Davis’ 1861 & 1862 Thanksgiving Proclamations
The Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil (IEAB) has published an important paper on the Ridly-Covenant Draft Anglican Covenant. The Church of Brazil has given careful and studious church wide attention to the development of an Anglican Covenant and its formal commentaries and reports on the various drafts have been extremely helpful. They have asked that this statement be widely distributed.The
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Brazil on the Anglican Covenant, particularly part 4.