Author: Administrador

In a recent issue of his Ministry Toolbox newsletter, Rick Warren writes: “If God’s objective for every believer is to transform us into total Christlikeness, then the objective of preaching is to motivate people to develop Christlike convictions (to think like Jesus), Christlike character (to feel like Jesus), and Christlike conduct (to act like Jesus). … Continue reading “The Purpose of Preaching Is Transformation”

Most Americans still prefer a real-live preacher to a video sermon, according to a survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. About a third (35%) say they only will visit churches with a live sermon. Three in 10 say a video sermon won’t keep them from a church, but they still prefer live preaching. The same number … Continue reading “Sermons: Live vs. Video?”

1. I wish I had a job like yours, where I could work only one day a week. 2. What do you do with all the free time you have? 3. Can I have a couple of minutes before you preach? 4. I love you pastor, but _______________________________ (fill in the blank). 5. I like … Continue reading “Things You Shouldn’t Say to Your Pastor”

Who knew that cat videos were art? The Internet Cat Video Festival is coming to Boise, Idaho, after previous stops in cities such as Chicago, Memphis, Portland, Vienna, Athens and Jerusalem. The festival, which uses the hashtag #catvidfest on social media, was in Minneapolis two years ago, where approximately 10,000 people attended. According to a … Continue reading “And finally: Cat Videos as Art”

In a recent post in his Church and Culture newsletter, James Emery White quotes author David Aikman, who noted the extent to which certain Christians have turned themselves into the “self-appointed attack dogs of Christendom. They seem determined to savage not only opponents of Christianity, but also fellow believers of whose doctrinal positions they disapprove. … Continue reading “How They Loved One Another”

It’s not just church bulletins that contain those pesky typos. Here are some bloopers that appeared in the classified ads of local newspapers: Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one of the family. Dinner Special: Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00. For Sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs … Continue reading “Classified Bloopers, Not Just for Church Bullentins Anymore”

This must be what they call “express service.” A Lutheran pastor from Butte, Mont., delivered a 1-minute service a week ago so he could go watch the NFC Divisional Playoff game between the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. “Would you all like to be forgiven for your sins?” Pastor Tim Christensen of Gold Hill … Continue reading “And Finally: Express Service”

It’s Super Bowl week, one of the major American social events of the year. I vividly recall my pastoral service in a church, where I foolishly suggested adjusting the time of the evening service one Super Bowl night. My deacons let it be known church should not be changed for football! Of course, when game … Continue reading “Super Bowl and Preaching”

In his new book Preaching at the Crossroads (Fortress Press), David J. Lose points out that in contemporary American culture, “we are surrounded by competing truth claims. Some of these are religious, but many more are about material wealth, nationalism, or ethnicity. Significantly, each and every truth claim, whether it be proclaimed from a pulpit, touted … Continue reading “Competing in the Worldview Marketplace”

• Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?• Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?• Why is phonics not spelled the way it sounds?• If work is so terrific, why do they have to pay you to do it?• If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?• … Continue reading “More Questions to Ponder”