Current Preaching Tips and Thoughts
Below are some of the current thoughts I have been having about preaching. These are both things I have implemented recently and things I am working on improving myself.
The Addition Subtraction Principle
You add content throughout the week. This is in essence putting together what you can say. Then at the end of the week you subtract everything except what you must say.
Monday Morning Read and Study
Last year I started reading and studying the text every Monday morning with my staff. Hearing their thoughts opens up the text in a much richer way.
Manuscript
This isn’t a new thought for me but I’d just like to affirm that every word counts.
Start strong
The sermon should start strong. Admittedly, I gotta work on this one myself. When I get this right I feel like I am in the pocket right away. This takes about 90 seconds. I play soft background music while they read (always a song that’s thematic with the reading). And we conclude with this response: (leader) This is the word of God for the people of God. (people) Thanks be to God.
Read the text together
This past fall I began having the entire congregation read the text with me at the beginning of the sermon. It’s become a very holy and sacred moment in the service.
I am the guide
I preach my best when I remember I am the guide not the hero. Yes, people like personal stories, but I use them sparingly. Ultimately, they care more how the sermon can help them.
Clothing
What you wear is sending a message. Once you understand this, you can tailor the color choices in your wardrobe so they work to your advantage in specific situations. Red signifies power and passion. Blue is calming and trustworthy. Brown communicates that you’re grounded. Yellow can signify happiness or cheer. Black is authoritative, strong, and dramatic. White says “here’s something new.” Here’s the podcast that helped me think about this.
Preach before you give the sermon
I want the sermon to be preached before I even open my mouth. We do this by the way we décor and organize the facility. There is a strategic message I am giving before they even hear the spoken word. Some examples we have in place: pictures on the wall of our 6 discipleship steps and 6 kiosks of our discipleship steps (the message is we have a plan to lead you to Jesus), masculine and modern décor throughout the lobby (the message is that this is a safe place for men), kids check-in right at the entrance (the message is that we value families).
