Why We Invite Them

"Why in the world do you give an invitation at the end of every service?" The questioner, like me, is a Presbyterian minister. There was a hint of scorn in his voice as he asked. I could understand. We both know that such invitations are not automatically a part of typical Presbyterian worship. I suspect that perhaps only one of us knows this has not always been the case.

Let Go of Your Past

In a recent article for Pastors.com, Rick Warren talks about four ways the apostle Paul prepared his own life for successful ministry. One of those steps was to let go of his past:

What’s the Point? Moving from Exegetical to Homiletical

It was the winter of 2003, and I was attending Dallas Theological Seminary working on a doctorate with an emphasis in preaching. After 12 years of full-time pulpit ministry and having won a preaching award the prior year at the Capital Bible Seminary, I thought I knew preaching pretty well. However, what I was about to learn under the tutelage of Dr. Timothy S. Warren would influence my preaching dramatically forever.

Building a Winning Team

The next time you see geese flying south, think about the reason they always fly in a "V." Scientists figure that formation adds at least 71 percent to the flight range of the flock. By working together, they accomplish more. That's teamwork. Here are six essential skills for developing your own dream team:

Lost and Found: An Interview with Ed Stetzer

Ed Stetzer is President of LifeWay Research and a popular author and speaker dealing with issues relating to the church today. In a recent interview with Preaching Editor Michael Duduit, Ed talked about his latest book, Lost and Found (B&H), as well as about the research he conducted for an article that appeared in the November-December issue of Preaching.

Four Ways Jesus Sets Us Free

Do you want to be free? Today, you'll encounter a man who met Jesus under the most dire and desperate circumstances. Yet when Jesus entered his life, He changed everything. You can be free of every addiction, of ever sinful behavior; you can be free to live your life as God has created you to live; and we're going to discover how today.

A Brand by Any Other Name

Bob, chairman of the board at Old First Church, stood and spoke to the other members: "I was reading one of those church growth books, and it says that one of the things all those fast-growing churches do is called 'branding.' They figure out who they are, then come up with a slogan they can use to attract other folks."

Six Flags over Jesus!

If entertainment is worship, then Six Flags and Disney worship better than we do every single Sunday. The most urgent need in the church of Jesus Christ today is less entertainment and better preaching. Yet the reality is that often preaching is downplayed to make room for more special effects. This runs contrary to the plain teaching of the Bible and church history.