Every year I go away for 3-4 weeks planning and preparing sermons for the next year. This is my eighth year, and it is what you hear me refer to as my “Sermon Study and Research Retreat.” I plan series and sermon outlines for one full year. I want the staff and key leaders to have access to the major themes and messages for the next year, so they can plan to tie into these themes wherever possible. Planning pays huge dividends. The worship area is able to discuss ideas of songs, hymns, preludes, pastoral prayers, anthems, and specials. The education team can tie in Bible studies, Sunday School curriculum, or small group material. Creation Station, which is the children’s 8:30 worship event, can plan around the same theme or topic as “Big Church.” This can happen because they have the themes and topics well in advance. The key for developing a Long-Term Preaching Plan is time away, prayer, and an awareness of the needs of our church and issues facing the community and world.
As to time away, it is impossible to develop a preaching plan without having adequate time away from the day-to-day pastoral activities of the church. In order to have time to pray, to reflect, to read, and to outline – all without distraction – requires getting away. This is not vacation time. It is not continuing education. It is a part of my legitimate workload if I am going to be an effective preacher. As to prayer, I begin my time taking a long prayer walk. I may walk for two hours singing songs, praying, and worshiping God. I open myself completely to the Holy Spirit. I ask God to guide me, to help me understand what to say to the people. I pray for clarity, a renewing of my own spirit, and for wisdom. I will take many prayer walks during the retreat seeking God on your behalf. As to being aware of the needs of our church and issues facing the community and world, I think through questions like, Where are the people in St. John’s hurting? Where are they in their faith? Who needs encouragement? Why? Where do we need more challenge? What is going on in our world that is influencing us? Who is living in our community? What are their needs? I go through newspapers and magazines reading the headlines sensing what people are thinking. I try to gather as much information as possible. This is why I ask for your input with a sermon. Your input will help shape the themes and messages for 2009.
Optional - Name:
Optional - email address:
1. What would be a good sermon topic?
2. What are people interested in these days?
3. What are the needs of people in our community?
4. What is going on in our world that is influencing us?
5. What do the people of St. John's need most?
6. Whre do we need more challenge?
7. What important theme should the pastor preach more often?
8. What would be a good sermon title?
OR Continue with Optional questions.
Optional
9. What makes a good sermon for you? You might want to comment on content, style, delivery, length, etc...
10. Has there been a time when a sermon made a dramatic difference in your life? Explain. May I use your story as an illustration?
11. Is there anything else you would like to say about sermons and preaching generally?
12. How can I (Pastor Kent) help you?
