Craft of Preaching

I was recently gifted a copy of the sarcastic, crude, delightfully funny little book Hyperbole and a Half. Half comic book, half stream-of-consciousness, …

The problem with Jesus’ testing in Matthew, Mark, and Luke is how quickly we switch the focus from Jesus’ trials to our own temptations -- as …

The Transfiguration is always a tricky story, isn’t it? Were it not for the fact that it’s the designated text bridging the seasons of Epiphany …

This coming April 22, 2019, is the fiftieth year of celebrating Earth Day, which began on April 22, 1970. As such it’s the Jubilee Year of Earth Day. …

There are many ways to describe and define the Bible. From assertions that are mostly faith-based, such as “Scripture” or “Word of God”; …

“When an alien lives with you in your land, do no mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as …

At first blush, we could easily assess Luke’s version of the Beatitudes as simply different than Matthew’s. After all, each is demonstrative …

Last year Working Preacher gathered a talented group of clergy to discuss the interaction between preaching and liturgy.

I’m not sure when the conversation …

“Catching people” might not sit very well with a number of our congregants. Compared to the parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark where the …

Tribal people, Indigenous people, have been protecting and loving the natural world, God’s creation for thousands of years. Indigenous people have …

Responses to sermons are always, well, interesting. Isn’t that true, dear Working Preachers?

People will say to you, “great sermon, Pastor!” …

"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Or has it? Jesus seems convinced of it, at least. And to get a little Greek geeky on you, the …

Deciding on one preaching point for this passage seems adversative, to say the least, to this story when the main message of Jesus’ miracle at Cana …

Never underestimate the power of “you,” especially in the second person singular. We know how “you” feels. Like you are the only …

There’s a delightful little creature in the most recent Harry Potter movies. It’s called a niffler.

Physically, the niffler is an endearing …