The secret which lets your points breathe

Introduction. Point one. Point two. Point three. Application. Conclusion.

When a sermon feels like a flood of words, the structure of the sermon mimics the one above.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

In fact, a sermon should never resemble a quality essay response.

The reason is simple, a sermon is not a thought monologue. A sermon should be thought provoking. A sermon should give you space to ponder.

The way this is achieved is by creating space in your sermon.

And, if you look closely at the following flow of a sermon, then you’ll spot the secret which will allow your points to breathe.

Introduction. Point one. Question. Point two. Question. Point three. Question. Application. Question. Conclusion.

Questions allow your points to land in the minds of the congregation. 

If you ask how your point will affect them at work tomorrow...

If you ask where they have seen your point play our in the lives of those around them...

If you ask the congregation to consider what the Holy Spirit may be saying to them currently...

Then you break up the deluge of words from the pulpit.

Then you make your points more applicable.

Then your points will be more memorable.

You just need to allow space and time to let your points breathe...

The two dimensions of a sermon

Sermons have both width and depth.

Sermons have a scope of the biblical text which they tread - width - and a degree in which they delve into a topic or passage - depth.

Congregations need to hear both.

Great sermons strike a healthy balance between both.

After a sermon I gave, something which should rightly be called two-sermons-in-one-dose, my ministry coworker asked me a significant question about the dimensions of the sermon.

The mechanics of the sermon broke down something like this... I preached for around 30 minutes. With fours points.

He asked, if I had a third less time, and only did half my points, would it have made for a better sermon?

My original sermon gave each point around 7 minutes.

But, if I only delivered my strongest, most relevant, two points, would they have been improved with 10 or 12 minutes each?

I highly suspect so.

The result would have been more pleasant to hear, easier to follow, more memorable and more applicable.

These are the results of a good balance between width and depth.

How long until our habits become unhealthy again?

If you’re lucky, like we are in Australia, then you’re church currently gets to meet in person.

But, things are still far from normal.

Only last week were congregation members allowed to sing aloud, before that, worship felt very concert-like.

Due to social distancing, even though people can now physically attend, they are scatted across the worship space.

This feels weird when you glacé around the sanctuary.

Pre-COVID-19, if you saw a congregation which consisted of isolated members, this would be a source of concern.

You would wonder about their sense of community.

You may question their welcoming or sense of inclusiveness.

Now, the pandemic makes us thankful that we can attend at all.

But, eventually, we need to consider how socially-distant-church is shaping our future.

Are we sowing habits which we will struggle to break?

Will church attendance be increasingly selective?

Will worship involve less participation?

Will congregations continue to gather at an arm’s distance?

Importantly, how long should we wait until, again, we identify the above habits as unhealthy?

How to set out your bible notebook

So, let’s say that you have a notebook of 100 pages and you want to use it for bible note taking - sermons, bible studies, whatever. 

How should you chop up your notebook?

Below is the system I just devised for my wife.

I know, it’s not world-changing, but as a bible nerd I am kinda proud.

If you want 200 pages, or 100 double-sided pages, then you give each book a single page, double all the single page books below and double everything else, aside from Genesis, Psalms and Revelation which go up to 5. That will give you the rough number you need.

Total 100 pages

Old Testament - 41 pages

Genesis 4

Exodus 1

Leviticus-Numbers 1

Deuteronomy 1

Joshua 1

Judges 1

Ruth 1

1 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1

1 Kings 1

2 Kings 1

1 Chronicles-2 Chronicles 1

Ezra 1

Nehemiah 1

Esther 1

Job 1

Psalms 4

Proverbs 2

Ecclesiastes 1

Song of Songs 1

Isaiah 2

Jeremiah 2

Lamentations 1

Ezekiel 1

Daniel 1

Hosea 1

Joel 1

Amos 1

Obadiah-Jonah 1

Micah-Nahum 1

Habbukuk-Zephaniah-Haggai 1

Zechariah-Malachi 1

New Testament - 59 pages

Matthew 5

Mark 4

Luke 5

John 5

Acts 5

Romans 5

1 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 2

Galatians 2

Ephesians 2

Philippians 2

Colossians 1

1 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1

1 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1

Titus-Philemon 1

Hebrews 2

James 2

1 Peter 2

2 Peter 1

1 John 1

2 John-3 John 1

Jude 1

Revelation 2

The danger of having to hit a sermon-time-limit

I’ve previously written that most sermons, due to the effectiveness of the preacher, shouldn’t exceed 30 minutes. Frankly, for most, 30 minutes is overly generous. 

20 minutes would be a better offering from the mouthpiece and a better fit for the congregation.

But, what happens if there is an expectation, written or unwritten, that the sermon must go for, say, 40 minutes?

Honestly, if you encounter a time expectation - and this isn’t your comfortable length - then you’ll, most probably, underperform and, at worst, totally bomb.

Why?

Because you’ll stretch. You’ll add more than is required. You’ll combine what should really be two sermons. 

Furthermore, your preparation will be impaired. You’ll be more concerned about the number of words you use than you should be and this will take the focus away from where it should be... a message faithful to what the bible says and an appropriate message to those you’re speaking to.

And these two pitfalls will, most directly, affect those who are inexperienced.

They will feel the time pressure.

But, they won’t have the tools or confidence to pull off a polished 40 minute sermon.

To do this takes years of practice. 

And hampering them with a lengthy time expectation will only add an unfair albatross around their neck.

The secret that results in married people listening to your singleness sermon

Singleness.

Dating.

Marriage.

Parenting.

Churches should teach on all of these topics.

But, these topics will not speak to everyone in the same way. For some, they will not be in that life-stage.

The worst case scenario is that those outside of the advertised demographic will skip church on a week that doesn’t directly apply to them.

But, this exodus can be avoided by a simple expectation...

You will be told how this applies to you, no matter what life-stage you are in.

You will be told, upfront, that you can and will learn things from the sermon that you can pass onto others.

You will expect that the gospel principles shared will still apply to your circumstances.

In short, you will be told that listening to a sermon outside of your direct experience will still matter for you.

The drop-out commonality

I’ve thought about drop out points in ministry a lot. I’ve written about them a lot.

But one thing I’ve not really thought too much about, when it comes to the expanding list of ministry weak-points, is what these drop out points have in common.

Isolation.

No matter if it is due to life transition or the awkwardness created because you’ve broken up with your partner, the opportunity to drop out arises once you become disconnected.

And this disconnection leads to two connected consequences.

1 - You’re not pursued.

2 - You’re unchecked.

In short, no one will call you and you can now do whatever you want.

For, when you get isolated, fewer people are intentionally checking up on you and, thus, accountability wains.

This is what enables young adults to drift away.

This is what allows those who move suburbs to not find a new church.

This is what lays the platform for the newly-dumped boyfriend to leave.

Why knowing what you, and others, are known for matters

Drop out points in youth ministry.

Spiritual gifts.

Apologetics.

Sex and relationships.

Ministry to young men.

Youth leader training.

Principals of preaching and communication.

These are some of the things I was known for during my ministry career.

I could speak on them confidently, and I hope, helpfully.

On occasions, I would be brought in to lead other groups in these areas.

But, there were some things that I didn’t specialise in. Anything but.

Worship leading.

Social justice.

Pastoral care.

Sure, I could talk about these topics, but I knew others who had a passion for them.  They could talk your ear off for hours.

And, when I wanted to help others in these areas, I would direct them to someone who specialised in that area.

This is the advantage of knowing the strengths of those around you. 

After all, no one should be committed to doing ministry alone.

Do atheists avoid church like fatties avoid the gym?

I’m not obese. I’m not fit either. I’m probably closer to the latter than the former. 

But I go to the gym.

it’s not unusual that I’m the fattest person there.

And I’m not really fat. Just a bit of dad-bod-podge.

So, where are all the fat people at my gym? 

Shouldn’t the gym be for them? Or is the gym just for those who are already fit?

I wonder this because I think many of the same reasons obese people avoid the gym reflect the reasons atheists don’t go to church.

The “professionals” at the gym, and church, are considered weirdos who take it all a bit too seriously...

Those who choose to attend, by already being fit, have already achieved what an unhealthy person wants. 

Physically, the space is intimidating. It has rules, both written and unwritten. It has devices which you may be unfamiliar with and unsure how to use.

Potentially, when change doesn’t appear quickly, the gym can be demoralising. 

Worse still, you may think that the gym isn’t making any difference at all.

In some cases, you may feel that the gym is only after your money via a membership, driven by pushy salespeople.

In many ways, the church can seem intimidating, foreign, pointless and pushy. 

And when the church exists like a gym - existing primarily to serve those who already fit in - then it shouldn’t be surprising that those “on the outside” choose to stay there.

How long until your relationship becomes prayer-able?

Prayer points.

Christians are expected to share them.

Share them with their closest friends.

Share them with their small group.

Share them with their church.

So, last night, after my small group shared their prayer points, I asked a provocative question to the singles in the room.

Would you ask for prayer if you had a date on the weekend?

The room was fairly divided.

I understand, if it’s a date with a random, you may be hesitant to ask for prayer - particularly if you have a fairly active dating schedule. But, as someone pondered, shouldn’t that situation need prayer, if nothing else, for safety? That they aren’t a creepy weirdo?

Some expressed that they may ask for prayer once things are progressing. 

But, where is the prayer line? The fourth date? When you’re getting ready to “define the relationship”? When you first go public?

One thing that a few people said was dependent upon the other romance participant being known to the group. But, does that potentially make it more awkward? What if others don’t think you’ll make a good match? Does sharing your embryonic relationship enhance the pressure upon it?

Frankly, I don’t know the answer, but I’m sure glad that it isn’t my problem anymore...

Tiny Bible Bit audit results

After tracking almost a decades worth of Facebook devotions, here’s the things which were significant...

Total posts - 1474 (Sept 25, 2011-Feb 24, 2021)

Most popular books - Matthew 136 posts, John 116, Luke 113, Psalms 106

Least popular books - Joel, Obadiah, Zephaniah all with no posts

Most popular passages - Genesis 1:1 & John 3:16 x7, Esther 4:14 & Hebrews 12:1-2 x6, Matt 1:1; 1:23; John 1:14; Romans 12:1 & Hebrews 10:25 x5

Number of Christmas posts - 34

Number of Easter posts - 24

Number of posts on the Lord’s Prayer - 19

Number of posts about COVID - 11

Most viewed boosted post - Matthew 2:16 8011 views, 176 likes, 30 shares

Boost rejected - Mark 5:25-26, apparently Facebook couldn’t handle the word period...

Most viral post - Psalm 19:1-6 389 views

Disunity starts with the convinced tribe

There is a massive, and significant, difference between disagreement and disunity in a church.

Numbers.

If I disagree with the leadership of my church - about anything - then I have the option of how to deal with that issue. Ideally, it would be handled in a mature way such as having an open and honest conversation, deciding that this issue is something you can live with/overlook or, over important enough issues, you may choose to leave with grace and goodwill.

But disunity - an ecclesiastical sin peppering the New Testament - is a different beast to disagreement. For, you sow and grow disunity when you start to gather a group.

Say, for example, that you disagree with the length of the sermons at your church. Disunity develops when you unhelpfully share your opinion with others and have them join your cause. By rallying a group together, this gives disunity a foothold.

So, the next time you want to vent about a gripe you have in church, just be careful that you’re not plunging in the planks of disunity which will ultimately splinter a church.

Summer goal learnings

First of all... learnings is not a real world. I know. Someone should inform 2020. Learnings were everywhere...

Anyway... I may not be the greatest mathematician in the world, but even I know that 2 out of 7 is a fail.

This was the outcome of my summer goals.

2 Successes. 5 Fails.

But, in reality, there’s more to it.

Sure, I failed in my weight goal, but lockdown made going to the gym difficult.

I read a book and a half, which is short of my goal, but it’s more than I would have done otherwise and was directly influenced by the toll the Tiny Bible Bit audit took.

I did do a few medical tasks, but again... COVID didn’t help.

So, what did I learn?

Well, to start, I did still completely fail two goals. Such is life. These goals remain.

More importantly, I did make progress on a few very pressing tasks which I’d been meaning to do for quite a while.

Vitally, I did more that I would have done - no matter to what degree - than if I hadn’t made my summer goals.

Really, this is the point. 

Having something to aim at - even if you only achieve a few of them and make progress on a few more - makes a difference. It starts with enough personal reflection to make goals and keeps these goals before you.

Thus concludeth the learnings.

2020-2021 Summer goals summary

 It’s the last day of summer.

So, how did I go in achieving my Summer goals?

1 - The aim was to get back down to 78kg. I didn’t. I’m currently 83, down from a max of 85. So, I’m heading in the right direct...

FAIL

2 - It took until last night, but I finally finished writing up 1473 Tiny Bible Bits posts. As nice as it has been to go over then, it took far longer than I first envisaged. But, it’s completed...

SUCCESS 

3 - The aim was to complete all the lessons of the German Duolingo course. While I’ve completed all the lessons as of this week, my OCD won’t let me consider it really finished until I’ve read every outstanding story - of which there are about 60. They should be done by the end of the month. 

I’m still looking forward to my next language. I’ve even told a few people what it will be.

SUCCESS 

4 - I wanted to read two non-fiction books. In part, due to the unexpected amount of work it took to finish the Tiny Bible Bit audit, I only finished a book and a half.

FAIL

5 - Operation No Nail Biting failed, I’m more aware of my chewing, have cut down and would still like to quit.

FAIL

6 - The aim to blog twice per week, obviously, didn’t happen. I completed around one post per week. While this is slightly more than the last few years, it seems like this is the pace renewed University study will allow.

FAIL

7 - Over the last week I started to make some progression on the medical front, actually seeing my optometrist and making a booking for a new dentist. While there was some progress, a few tasks are still outstanding.

FAIL

So, I only achieved two out of seven aims. 

What does that mean?

What lessons did I learn?

I’ll tell you in my next post...

Should you review and rewrite the past?

As I’ve recounted in my summer goals, I’ve been conducting an audit of the Tiny Bible Bits which I’ve written over the last decade.

Bloody hell it’s been a big job.

Currently, I’m midway through 2012, having back-catalogued all but the last 150 of nearly 1500 posts.

Frankly, some of the things I have written have been fairly pedestrian.

A few have been boarder-line lazy.

Most are somewhat-solid thoughts based mostly upon scripture.

More than I would have suspected are quite insightful.

The experience has been frustratingly insightful.

First of all, I’ve - quite independently - recycled a lot of input. I haven’t crunched the data yet, but I look forward to finding out which passages have been the most revisited.

Second, I’ve written some things which I’ve since softened on. Like some things in this blog, while I may not disagree with what I’ve previously penned, the tone I’ve used has sometimes been... overly self-assured.

Honestly, most of the things I’ve written have been completely wiped from my memory and I would never have rediscovered the hidden gems if I hadn’t trawled back through my previous posts.

I wonder what ministers would find if they did the same thing?

What would they change about their previous sermons?

What points in bible studies may they now disagree with?

While the foundations of the faith should be constant, over the years, experiences will dictate that your personal faith will change/develop/grow.

So, what do you do with the old info?

Do you amend it?

Do you publicise that you no longer hold this position, or at least have softened your stance?

Really, the problem only exists for those who have their prior thoughts recorded - such as in a blog or searchable sermon catalogue - but with the internet, as they say, everything is now permanent.

How many ministers in their 40’s will be haunted by what they said or wrote in their 20’s?

What would happen if we had truth in advertising?

 It sounds impossible. I know. But stick with me...

What would happen if we had truth in advertising within the church.

What if every event wasn’t going to be the biggest?

Or the best?

Or awesome?

Or life defining?

Or, even, better than last year?

What if our church services were a community which meets to worship, sing, pray, support one another, pray and learn about God and how to live the Christian life?

What if this was the way we advertised our small groups?

Or our youth groups?

Unfortunately, this may mean that the leaders within a church or ministry will need to swallow their pride and look upon their groups with realistic eyes.

But, what if we actually believed that the “ordinary” things we do actually matter?

What if they actually do result in life change?

Maybe, if we honestly believed these things then we would not only be more honest in our advertising, but more enthusiastic in the way we describe our “ordinary” groups and activities.

Has someone had to make the COVID offering request?

For many churches, I assume, that COVID-19 has been an unfolding financial nightmare. While virtual services and cancelled programs may well have reduced overheads, surely this has not offset the dramatic reduction from the offering plate.

Especially if you have a predominately elderly congregation.

Frankly, if you’re financial bottom line was dependant upon funds coming in from pensioners, then 2020 would have royally screwed your budget.

So, in a COVID world, how was this subject breached?

Was there, like the Bequest Requesters, a person - the treasurer - who went around assisting members in establishing electronic transfers to the church?

Was there a person who went around and manually collected giving envelopes? To this point, how would they be filled in during a lockdown or in an increasingly cashless society?

I don’t know what financial position many churches are in, but for those who are also dependant upon outside activities - all of whom had to shut down last year - the pressure to squeeze the offerings from the congregation would only have been intensified.

Summer goals update #2

Nine weeks ago I set myself 7 Summer goals.

How am I going?

1 - I started summer aiming to get down to 78kg. A month ago I had ballooned up to 84. With a gym off limits due to lockdown and a week with my girls in the middle of the month, I only got back to the gym a week ago. Thus, I went up to 85 but am now back down to 84. 

A new FitBit, which I got for Christmas will hopefully continue the downward trend but getting to my goal may be a problem.

2 - I’ve currently recorded every Tiny Bible Bit going back to November 2013, having logged 1114 entries. Only 300 or so more to go...

3 - Duolingo only has 1 topic still to complete and a few more tasks to mop up... (as I said last month) I’m well on track for the end of summer. 

I’m quite looking forward to my next language.

4 - I’m currently halfway through my current book, with the hope to be done by the time uni starts at the end of the month.

5 - Fail. While I’m not back to square one when it comes to Operation No Nail Biting, I’m not far away.

6 - the aim was to blog twice per week. I did four posts last month. That’s less than last month. Far fewer than hoped.

7 - Again, every medical duty is still on the to-do list... but the cat went to the vet.

Hopefully, everything will be on track by the end of summer. Hopefully...

Should you pair up dating leaders?

I’ve written before about the possibility, nay probability, that leaders in Christian ministry - if both single of course (?) - will be romantically interested in each other, date and, importantly for the following point, cultivate some church nervousness.

But, before I give my opinion, I want to make a few things clear.

Love is good.

Dating can be good. And throughly godly.

Young adults dating can be a powerful testimony, especially to those younger than them.

When teaching young people about dating, having leaders who are dating in a loving and godly way can be a true blessing.

But... I’d still try to avoid the dating leaders leading together.

Now, in some cases this won’t be possible or practical. If there are only three youth group leaders, you can’t and shouldn’t give one a timeout because they are now attached.

With this said, I would seek to create some space between the two leaders.

Why?

Because they could breakup at any time.

Relationships are messy.

And they can still be an influence upon those they minister to.

So, does the distancing need to be messy?

Frankly, no.

Ideally, you just sit your leaders down and tell them honestly that them ministering apart from the added pressure of their relationship will be advantageous. They don’t need to fret if they are cranky with each other.

Alternatively, you can just say that, while juggling all the other things which accompany pastorally caring for teens, having their focus also - unavoidably - being directed at their partner is a distraction which can be unhelpful.

After all, the leaders should be there to minister to the kids, not canoodle with their love.

Is it ok to buy love?

I don’t mind admitting that I buy love. Strategically.

I did it last week.

I did it while working as a youth minister.

Last week I paid to boost an apt Tiny Bible Bit about anger.

In the past I have printed hundreds of business cards and countless fliers.

Over the years I have given away many prizes in scripture classes and youth group.

Each year I would routinely spend hundreds of dollars taking my leaders out for meals and getaways.

None of this was mandated.

I never had to spend as much as I did in ministry or add my coin to the Facebook coffers.

But, you spend money on things which you deem valuable.

Additionally, when you spend money with an eye on the outcomes, the expenses - rightly or otherwise - are deemed an investment.

Frankly, most of the money I spent in ministry could have been saved.

I could have kept $50 in my bank account last week.

But, if you don’t personally invest in what you’re doing - hopefully wisely, with some strategic purpose - then why would you expect anyone else to?