Author: Administrador

Written nearly 20 years ago, these comments by Will Willimon are remarkably on target for much preaching today: “If you listen to much of our preaching, you get the impression that Jesus was some sort of itinerant therapist who, for free, traveled about helping people feel better…Start with some human problem like depression; then rummage … Continue reading “Preaching Is More than Therapy”

In a recent article, Thom Rainer points out that “practices in employing pastors are changing rapidly in the American landscape. Allow me to share with you 10 of these major trends. “Church consolidations mean more pastors will report directly to another pastor. The trend of smaller churches being acquired by larger churches is accelerating. Many … Continue reading “Trends in Pastoral Hiring”

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous. Don’t put a question mark where God put a period. Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church. Forbidden fruits create many jams. God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called. God grades on the cross, not the curve. God promises a safe … Continue reading “One-Liners for Church Promos”

This dog had a real opportunity to “take a bite out of crime.” A New Jersey German Shepherd has received a summons to report for jury duty. According to the dog’s owner, Barrett Griner IV, he received a jury summons addressed to “IV Griner,” which is the name of his 5-year-old dog. According to an … Continue reading “And Finally: Ladies, Gentlemen and Canines of the Jury”

If you’re the pastor of a church in a small rural town, hang on—it might be getting ready to boom. I was just reading an issue of Forbes, and there’s an article about a book by Jack Schultz called Boomtown USA. The book examines an emerging trend: “Americans, he says, are moving to small towns … Continue reading “Preaching Human Need or God’s Glory?”

In a lecture at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, John Piper once observed, “The common strategy of preachers today for awakening people’s emotions and engaging their hearts is to find the areas of human life where the emotions are already running high and where the hearts are already engaged; and then we root the sermon there: … Continue reading “Do Preachers Speak to Practical Needs Because that Is What Moves Us?”

Here are some responses to questions on fifth and sixth grade science tests: ~There are 26 vitamins in all, but some of the letters are yet to be discovered. ~Genetics explains why you look like your father, and if you don’t, why you should. ~Vacuums are nothings. We only mention them to let them know … Continue reading “Answers from Young Scientists”

“Cosmetic surgery, a mounted deer head, designer briefcases and pricey wine” are among the items illegally purchased by federal employees using government credit cards, according to a GAO report cited in a Reuters story. According to the report, in the past decade government credit card purchases have skyrocketed from $1 billion to $16 billion. The … Continue reading “And Finally: Charge! (…Now and Explain Later)”

Last year, while far away from home in Manaus, Brazil, I made the mistake of trying to run across the busiest street in that city of 2 million people. While dashing wildly across five lanes of traffic to reach a tiny concrete median and pause before sprinting the opposite five lanes, I recognized I had … Continue reading “Preaching Points: Choosing the Right Lens”

Aren’t you excited, Preacher, that next Sunday is resurrection Sunday? “Hold on,” I can hear you say, “that Holmes guy has his calendar all crossed up!” I sure do, but it’s not because I submitted my Easter column too late this year. I know you will not see these words until Easter has past, but … Continue reading “Preacher to Preachers: Resurrection Now!”