Craft of Preaching

Here we are, Working Preachers,

’Tis the season. It’s not yet Christmas, though. Despite the trees with lights hung, and places with carols …

I wonder who baptized John.

He might have had to do it himself. But I hope someone helped. Even Jesus sought out another human being to baptize him. He …

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

Let’s begin with an confession: This is a challenging text.

It is made more so by the fact that the phrase, “thief in the night,” is …

Imagine you have been invited to preach at the Korean church in your neighborhood. Or you are leading a mission team to Mexico and will be preaching at …

I open this week’s letter with a question for you and then a word of thanks. The question: How many orange cars or trucks did you see on your last …

Over the summer, you may have heard in news and social media feeds about an action taken by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), my denomination. …

Apocalyptic themes fascinate, confuse, and rebuff us.

Almost everyone who comes to worship this week will have encountered some form of End Times theology …

Ed. note: This is the first in a six-part series.

The liturgical calendar and the readings of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) introduce the worshiper …

It’s a good week to read Haggai. It may or may not be a good week to preach Haggai—only you and the Holy Spirit know that for sure—but …

What a month to come through as we turn toward All Saints Day, dear Working Preachers.

Some of you will know that I recently moved out of the first year …

Preaching through the year of Matthew in the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) presents both opportunities and challenges. First I’ll look at the dynamic …

Imagine if you could hear the prayers of people in your congregation.

Of course, sometimes you can, assuming the person offering them is part of a committee …

Isaiah 11 (December 8) imagines several qualities of wise leadership: wisdom and understanding, council (or strategic thinking) and strength, knowledge …

Thanks for preaching the Word, in season and out of season—steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord. Your preaching of God’s Word …