Matt Skinner

Woman with hat watches birds fly in blue sky
Dear Working Preacher
Watch What Happens

When Christians ponder the last leg of Advent and the arrival at Christmas, generally it’s Luke’s time [...]

pocketwatch hanging in front of leaf-strewn walk
Dear Working Preacher
Advent Perception

What makes biblical preaching so powerful (and sometimes so controversial) is its capacity to reconfigure a congregation’s [...]

Neon sign of word
Dear Working Preacher
Advent Preparation

Too often John the Baptist is treated like a problem to solve. Preachers feel pressure to apologize [...]

Magnifying glass in front of autumn trees
Dear Working Preacher
Advent Attentiveness

I don’t know who first thought of it, but it’s a stroke of genius and spiritual insight [...]

Worshipers joined in singing
Dear Working Preacher
Called Together

The news lately here in the United States (apologies to our many international readers) has been full [...]

Two men hugging in worship service
Dear Working Preacher
An Incarnational Calling

In Luke 9, Samaritan villagers make it clear that Jerusalem-bound Jesus is unwelcome among them. James and [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

stunning red rose on green backdrop
Dear Working Preacher
Staggering Love

Some of my favorite parts of Paul’s writings are the places where he admits just how little [...]

Poster reading
Dear Working Preacher
What Are You Waiting For?

Now what? Another church year has told its story, taking us from anticipating the Christ, [...]