Craft of Preaching

Preaching happens in a liturgical context. The Twelve Days of Christmas transition worshippers towards the Epiphany of Jesus. Epiphany is here understood …

If we are looking for models of ministry in our modern times, Mary and Elizabeth should come to mind. On this Fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas only …

An Advent message that calls out privilege and abuse of power will likely not be popular proclamation. Especially in the season that celebrates consumerism, …

I recently came across a survey asking respondents’ attitudes toward Christmas. The vast majority of those surveyed disagreed with the sentiment that …

Merry Christmas, Dear Working Preachers.

I hope you will be forgiving of a rather personal perspective on Christmas for this week’s column. Yet, …

This January, we rush from Christmas into Epiphany, the time between too brief. We do that every year and it’s hard on me. I’m a Revised Common …

We do a Blue Christmas service every year for those coping with loss. Preaching for it is one of the profound experiences of ministry.

Blue Christmas deals …

To sing, or not to sing? At this time of year, that’s always the preacher’s (and worship planner’s) question.

You all know the argument: …

For those of us who snoozed through high school English class decades ago: A brief review of metaphors, and why we who read Scripture care about them. Bear …

A worshipping community that has been singing the gorgeous Advent hymns for the last four weeks and holding back on the Christmas hymns will find its ears …