musings of the methodist world
Advent is supposed to be a season for things like love, joy, hope, and peace. And yet, unrealistic expectations and extra events can leave ministry leaders feeling more stressed out than ever. If preaching or teaching a little shorter will help you better enter into Advent, then do it.
The post 70: Permission to Go Short This Advent – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
Preaching inevitably leads to feedback, and some of it is negative. Using a framework devised by graphic designer Michael Bierut, this episode explores how to respond to negative feedback.
The post 69: Responding to Negative Feedback – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
Leadership writer Simon Sinek discovered that transformational leaders and organizations start with an understanding of why they do what they do. In this episode, Dan shares a sermon he preached adapting this content for our lives of faith and ministry.
The post 68: Inside Out – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
Abby Norman is the pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Abby joins us to share about how her sermon process has changed as she replants a local church.
The post 67: Replanting the Sermon – An Interview with Abby Norman – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
For many preachers, the joy of this work is in the delivery, and the anxiety of the work is in the planning and writing. Here are 7 tactics and approaches that can help relieve some of that anxiety.
The post 66: Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
There are 3 arcs to keep in mind when planning, writing, and delivering a sermon or sermon series: narrative, emotional, and rhythmic. They are all part of the congregation’s experience, and they can contribute toward or take away from the impact of a sermon.
The post 65: The 3 Arcs – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
It is never the wrong time to thank volunteers—especially over the summer when it is VBS, summer camp, and mission trip season! Grab these free images to post on social media and project in worship.
The post Volunteer Thank You Worship and Social Media Graphics appeared first on Defining Grace.
Austin Channing Brown is an author, writer, and speaker who focuses on racial justice and racial reconciliation. Austin joins us today to talk about how to lead difficult conversations in our congregations and she shares about her new book “I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness.”
The post 64: I’m Still Here – An Interview with Austin Channing Brown – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
Announcements are a double-edged sword: both necessary and often a waste of time in worship. Here are 10 action steps for better church announcements with a special focus on including relevant announcements in your sermon.
The post 63: Better Church Announcements – Art of the Sermon appeared first on Defining Grace.
Download free Mother’s Day graphics you can use in worship or on social media. The two versions include the captions “Happy Mother’s Day” and “Thank you, Mom.”
The post Mother’s Day 2018 Worship and Social Media Graphics appeared first on Defining Grace.
