October 7, 2017

If you ask pastors what their toughest regular assignment is, crafting and delivering a message that ministers to people from multiple backgrounds and various spiritual conditions is at or near the top of the list.

This is something pastors are expected to do – and do well – approximately 50 weeks a year. Sometimes two or three times a week. All while keeping it fresh and new every time.

I’ve been preaching a new message every week for over 30 years myself, with mixed results. It’s still tough, but I’ve become steadily better at it. Mostly by trial-and-error.

While I don’t claim to have mastered the art, I have discovered four simple principles that serve me well.