Author: Administrador

A newly released study by Ellison Research shows the typical Protestant church worship service has grown more contemporary and diversified during the past five years. The greatest increases have been in the proportion of churches using video clips and graphic presentations such as PowerPoint. Results of the study were published in the March-April issue of … Continue reading “More Video, but Sermon Length Stays the Same”

In a recent issue of his Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Rick Warren observed that, “Jesus says that distractions can keep our fruit from ripening: ‘The seed that falls among weeds stands for those who hear the word of God, but the worries and the riches and the pleasures of life crowd in and choke them and … Continue reading “Avoiding Distractions”

In an article for PreachingTodaySermons.com on “Crafting an Experience,” Rob Bell offers this example of one of his Easter sermons: “These are questions I ask myself. How can I make it as hard as possible for somebody to sit with a holy stare? How can I make it so hard for you have to engage? … Continue reading “Creating an Experience”

On the opening day of the Lyman Beecher Lectures on Preaching at Yale University in 1912, John Henry Jowett said, “I have had but one passion, and I have lived for it—the absorbingly arduous yet glorious work of proclaiming the grace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Such a confession revealed a … Continue reading “John Henry Jowett: A Passion for Preaching”

In his Posterous blog, church consultant George Bullard asks: “How many staff persons should a congregation have?” This is a question that has gotten a whole lot more complicated in the past couple of decades. Here is how I historically would answer the question for the typical traditional congregation: • If the congregation has a weekly … Continue reading “‘How Many Staff’ Is the Question”

I offer this message for sermon fodder for pastors as Holy Week is upon us, but also to all of the Body of Christ at large for its edification from this most unusual and surprising source: Judas. Does Judas have anything to teach us from Scripture? Do the 30 shekels and the insincere kiss of diabolical … Continue reading “Judas According to the Gospels”

Whenever I talk to pastors about the battle of the schedule, I typically encourage them to read David Allen’s classic book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity (Penguin Books).  Though it’s been around many years – and is widely known in the business community – many church leaders have yet to discover … Continue reading “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity”

In a recent Breakpoint commentary, Chuck Colson cited a couple of examples of ways in which technology is driving churches: “A congregation was faced with a financial dilemma. [It] had just installed a very expensive, high-end audio and video system for the church sanctuary and [was] way over budget. To solve the problem, the congregation … Continue reading “High Tech Worship”

Writing in his April 12, 2004, column, John Leo notes that Canadian preachers will be among those affected if a proposed law is adopted: “Bill C-250 (is) a repressive, anti-free-speech measure that is on the brink of becoming law in Canada. It would add ‘sexual orientation’ to the Canadian hate propaganda law, thus making public criticism … Continue reading “Proposed Canadian Law Would Impact Preachers”

As you may have noticed by now—because I’ve told you already—this issue marks the completion of 25 years of publication. During those 25 years, we’ve had lots of great articles, interviews and sermons. However, as I finish the editorial process for this milestone issue, I am thinking not of the articles that have appeared, but … Continue reading “Back Page Pulpit: The Ones that Weren’t”