The Homiletics Online Blog
Valentine’s Day poses a dilemma for pastors. The love-themed holiday and all its commercial trappings took over store shelves on December 26. Based on conversations and social media posts, love and relationships are on people’s minds this time of year. But there is plenty of debate about whether Valentine’s Day is appropriate in a Christian…
The Advent season is a time to wait, watch and prepare for Jesus. Many churches light candles one-by-one on an Advent wreath in anticipation of Christ’s birth and his return. But how well do your congregants understand this season and its traditions? And do they view it (and use it) as a time for spiritual…
Many churches have a large kitchen that sits unused beyond Sunday morning coffee hour. The space and equipment might also come in handy for occasional potlucks, funeral luncheons and VBS snack preparation. But your church could be missing out on a smorgasbord of kitchen-related ministry opportunities. Nothing builds community quite like sharing a delicious meal….
Pastors — like all of us — cherish regular encouragement through kind words and gestures. With all the challenges and pressures of ministry, efforts to appreciate and support these shepherds are especially important. Heavy workloads, high expectations, criticism, and a lack of personal and family time can take their toll on church leaders. Setbacks like…
Youth programs and ministry are essential for faith development, from multi-site megachurches to small, local congregations. Last month’s blog addressed discipleship, teaching content, staffing and safety. This month we’ll share insights about scheduling, publicity, parents, missions and faith beyond graduation. With a strong youth program, you can welcome young people and encourage them to grow…
Church leaders need to know how to develop a robust youth program, no matter a congregation’s size. Contrary to some perceptions, teenagers and young adults aren’t the church of tomorrow. They are the church of today — and a very important part of the church body. Youth groups are more than fun and games. Although…
The average age of a church in America is about 75 years. A growing number of these structures now qualify as historic buildings. That means many churches need major maintenance work. Even if your property team stays on top of routine maintenance and your church members chip in to help, the facility likely needs some…
Pastoral duties follow a cycle, but they’re pretty much nonstop. Preaching, shepherding and counseling are weighty demands — on top of family responsibilities and day-to-day stressors. Annual vacation time is a pleasant break from ministry responsibilities, but 2-3 weeks a year don’t offer enough opportunities for spiritual renewal and deep rest. A healthy church requires…
My wife and I moved to a new town a few years ago. Before we even settled in, a neighbor invited us to attend her church just down the street from our new home, and we received a friendly personal invitation from the church’s pastor. We have always gone to church (I’m a retired pastor)…
The decrease in people who identify as Christians seems to be leveling off, according to new research. That’s good news for pastors and ministry leaders — especially ahead of Easter, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Although Lent just began, you probably have a solid plan in place for Holy Week worship schedules and…
