Craft of Preaching

bearded man looking pensive
Dear Working Preacher
Less Doing, More Being

When I teach groups about the Gospels I usually highlight what distinguishes each of them. Part of [...]

goat standing in badlands of South Dakota
Dear Working Preacher
Courageous Truth-telling

Christ is Risen, Alleluia! Welcome to the Easter season, Working Preacher! And a special welcome to all [...]

Two figures walking on lakshore at sunset
Dear Working Preacher
It’s the Journey that Matters

Dear Working Preachers! It’s Holy Week. And, for much more [...]

Mural with words World Peace repeated in various colors
Dear Working Preacher
Speak the Dream of Peace

Almost ten years ago, my family and I moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a year so [...]

Seedlings emerging from soil
Dear Working Preacher
Sowing in Tears

Psalm 126 is one of the most memorable “Songs of Ascent.” Among its unforgettable lines are:  “When [...]

Person with hands outstretched on a beach.
Dear Working Preacher
Ode to Joy

Like a good parable, the prodigal son is chock-full of ambiguity. So, the first preaching task is [...]

plate of figs
Dear Working Preacher
On Giving a Fig

References to repentance appear frequently in Luke-Acts. If that makes you uncomfortable as a preacher, you can [...]

Starry night sky
Dear Working Preacher
Evidence of God’s Faithfulness

This week’s Old Testament lectionary reading contains my favorite ambiguous [...]

Silhouette of man in front of pixelated screen
Worship
Digital Worship Is Not Going Away

Prior to 2020, I had never considered digital worship as [...]

Jesus Saves neon sign behind chicken wire
Dear Working Preacher
God’s Rescue Operation

Dear Working Preacher, I wish you a blessed Ash Wednesday and First Sunday in Lent. [...]