Craft of Preaching

My first job in college was as a DJ at the local country music station in Athens, Ohio. I had no idea what I was doing. Just managing the soundboard and …

Dear Working Preachers,

Something different this week. I preached on this text a few weeks ago at a continuing education event in Colorado talking about …

I recently returned from a weekend in a large Presbyterian church in Michigan, where I was asked to speak about the faith dimensions of creation care and …

“He said this openly.” No wonder Peter responded as he did. Rebuke seems appropriate when you are hearing something you don’t want to …

As someone who is formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated, and in long-term recovery I often find “Lenten disciplines” to be a funny deal. …

The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, always the first Sunday of Lent, is an unnervingly muted event in Mark. Unlike Matthew and Luke, where we hear …

When I was a young boy, I accidentally memorized the books of the New Testament. I say “accidentally” because I had not intended to, and I did …

Yes, Jesus. It is good to be here. Isn’t this just the right summary of the Transfiguration? Indeed, how good it is to be here and yet how good it …

I find the central task of preaching and mothering to be the same -- to share God’s love. As a preacher I hope the words I preach inspire the hearers …

I’ve had a persistent problem with this passage. First blush was always suspicion and resentment. I mean, after all, Simon’s mother-in-law is …

“They kept on asking each other, what is this? A new teaching?”

There’s the rub of the Gospel and why the Gospel was put to death.

Working Preacher’s Lenten Series this year focuses on the “I AM” statements in the Gospel of John for the sake of intentional reflection …

When the news broke that my Baptist seminary would be hosting a lecture by a religious leader known for his opposition to women in ministry, I chose not …

This past week, I had an appointment with my therapist whom I had not seen in eight months. This session was likely the last time I will meet with her in …

“I’m not qualified to preach on science and faith.”

This statement is more common than I would like to admit. I have even -- true confessions …