Friday, December 15, 2006

Helping and Being Helped

Some years ago I learned that I thoroughly enjoy helping other preachers in their primary work of preaching. Speaking with enthusiasm and freshness is no small challenge, especially in a located ministry. I speak to the same group of people (and various others) up to 100 times each year. If I slip in something I've done before, there are always those well-meaning brethren who consider it their duty to let me know that they "remember that sermon from the first time" I preached it. (I've learned to accept that as a compliment, not a dig!) Writing new messages at such a demanding rate can seem overwhelming when shared with the other demands of ministry - especially to those who are new to this work. The output level rivals that demanded from full time authors of books and articles. Most of us survive by sharing the resources of others. I don't encourage the practice of preaching verbatim the sermons of others - that practice will shrivel you up spiritually - but I do enthusiastically recommend sharing ideas, angles, and insights. This practice, coupled with prayer, consistent living, and diligent personal Bible study, keeps a preacher fresh and fired up.

Seven years ago I wrote an article called "Taking the Drudgery Out of Sermon Preparation." It was published in three parts in The Preacher's Study Ezine. The piece is in desperate need of updating so as my first blog project I intend to revise it and publish it here. Lord willing, this will be followed by other articles with similar content.

Drop by when you can. The article will be posted soon.

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