Productive Pastor
Template and Training Pack.
Being in the pulpit is a powerful thing. I've never met a ministry leader who doesn't want to preach great messages. But finding the time to prepare focused sermons amidst the other responsibilities of ministry can be a challenge. Years ago I started developing personal tools to make the most of the time I had to prepare not just good sermons, but messages which changed people and had clear points. While they might have been in my own toolkit for years, now I would like to give them to you.
Create consistent systems for sermon preparation.
This isn't about random information gathering. Each of these sheets provide clarity over the sermon from the highest view down to individual word study. Don't spend hours chasing rabbits. Instead, focus on answering questions, mapping out the journey of transformation, and communicating biblical truths and how they provide real life life application.
My sermon worksheet is the oldest, and most shared part of my system. Thousands of pastors have downloaded some version of this and used it in their own message preparation.
ALWAYS BE OUTLINING!
The easiest way to prepare messages people will remember is to carefully craft key statements as we move through the sermon.
How do we best understand the original text for the purpose of preaching? My answer is word study.
What are we currently experiencing in life and what can we experience if we fully live in the kingdom?
My newest tool. It's the one I wish I had years ago.
This is a new sheet I've developed and started using this year. It is part of my goal to further refine content in my sermons and focus on teaching a focused message.
The Teaching Priorities sheet helps me work through what parts of the sermon will be essential and make sure I devote enough time to them.
Have you ever gotten stuck in message prep? I use these questions to unstick myself or grow my own field of view in preparation.