I want to share with you some secrets on preaching with power, gaining the
attention of your congregation.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus often concluded a lesson by crying out,
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
Jesus was basically saying "What's being said is very important.. pay
attention and listen!"...
Being Dynamic...
One thing that struck people between the eyes from day one was the
diversity of Christ's parables. From the story of the lost sheep, to the story
of the talents or even the prodigal son.
You see, to reach various demographics, cultures, personality types and
different places of the heart as well as different life challenges you have to
mix things up once in a while.
Being a Good Story Teller...
Jesus was a great story teller. You can be a great story teller too. Have a database of your stories, so your congregation will be sitting on the edge of
the pew listening attentively. Every week, you will find plenty of life stories emerging in the world. Take note of them.
Let People Laugh...
Charles Spurgeon was a character. His style was so loose he was criticized
again and again for bordering on frivolity in the Tabernacle pulpit. Certain
incensed fellow clergymen railed against his habit of introducing humor into his
sermons. With a twinkle in his eye, he once replied: "If only you knew how much
I hold back, you would commend me. This preacher thinks it less a crime to
cause a momentary laughter than a half-hour of profound slumber."
One has got to be careful with the demography and its sensitivities. Avoid laughing at women, Polish or Sardharji jokes. The purpose shouldn't ridicule or belittle any one or any one's sensitivities. Otherwise it will be counter-productive.
One has got to be careful with the demography and its sensitivities. Avoid laughing at women, Polish or Sardharji jokes. The purpose shouldn't ridicule or belittle any one or any one's sensitivities. Otherwise it will be counter-productive.
Connect Their World to His World...
It's great to know what David, Moses, and Paul did, but what should your
people do? It�s important to understand the attributes of God, now how should I
live in light of them? Find the principles worth living in whatever passage
you're preaching from, and present them with urgency, passion, and a call to
action that relates to today.
Plan and Prepare well in advance
Read the gospel by Tuesday. As the week unfolds, the stories you read in the papers, your conversations with people, your own experiences will colour, put flesh and contextualize your homily and make it relevant to the congregation. Unless it becomes your own, unless you are passionate about it, it won't touch the congregation.
Plan and Prepare well in advance
Read the gospel by Tuesday. As the week unfolds, the stories you read in the papers, your conversations with people, your own experiences will colour, put flesh and contextualize your homily and make it relevant to the congregation. Unless it becomes your own, unless you are passionate about it, it won't touch the congregation.
