The week after Easter I began a new series titled The Seven Next Sayings of Christ. Many are familiar with the seven last sayings of Christ He uttered on the cross. But I wanted to focus on the first post resurrection comments from Christ because I felt they were timely and appropriate for where we are in culture today.
While I take credit for the content of the sermons, I cannot take credit for the concept. I came across a book by the same title several years ago written by a pastor named Shane Stanford. I liked his approach and immediately thought it had the potential to be an important post Easter series that would lead our church up to those summer months.
For the majority of my ministry I’ve tried to plan my preaching calendar in 4-12 week increments. I like to know where I’m going, and those of you who communicate regularly know the terrible feeling that looks week in and week out at the most important book ever published and utter, “I can’t think of anything to preach.” Planning series certainly is a tremendous time saving measure, for sure. But the second major benefit it that it helps keep me balanced. Everyone has a homiletical hobby horse that comes easily or naturally. Every pastor also has subjects (ahem…stewardship) that they would simply prefer to never address. Planning helps make sure that congregations get a balanced diet.
Those of you who regularly follow my blog by dedication or by subscription know that the lion’s share of my posts are reflections of the previous week’s sermon. You are also aware of the fact that I’ve been out of routine these past couple of weeks, and for that I apologize. I hope to get caught up over the next several days and continue to share through this forum. Thank you for your support and encouraging feedback. If no one ever read it, I’d still enjoy the practice. The fact that you do read it is icing on the cake.
