Archives For Your Voice

Don’t Be Another Cheap Imitation Preacher

April 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

Years ago I bought a pair of knock-off Oakley sunglasses while on a mission trip in Mexico. I thought they were cool.

They looked almost exactly like real Oakley sunglasses, but were only a fraction of the cost.

Sunglasses

Photo Credit: Mark Vegas cc

I wore those beauties every day for a month. I looked good.

But after a month they suddenly fell apart. The frame snapped. The lenses popped out. My poor sunglasses were no more.

So what did I do? Hoping for a different result, I bought another pair. But the same thing happened. A month later they fell apart.

Real Oakley sunglasses don’t do that. Mine were a cheap imitation.

I bring up this story, because I fear that too many pastors have a cheap imitation mentality to preaching. Continue Reading…

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Pastors, Seek to Be Faithful… Not Famous

March 1, 2013 — 5 Comments

Too many pastors get sidetracked trying to become famous.

They want to be the next big conference speaker.

They want to have the next big mega church.

They want to be just like their pastor idols. Their focus is all wrong.

Small Church in Silver City Idaho

Photo Credit: Charles Knowles cc

Instead of trying to be famous, we need to be faithful.

When I first got started in ministry I was attending a small church. I felt God calling me to do ministry, so I followed.

I didn’t know exactly where or what I would do, but I knew I couldn’t do anything with my life other than follow Jesus and try to reach people for Him.

Like most young men entering the ministry, I was idealistic. My thinking was, “if I reach just one person for Christ it will all be worth it.”

I was in for a huge surprise when I got my first real job in a church. Reaching one person wasn’t enough. I had to reach more. Continue Reading…

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How to Preach Like No One Else

November 19, 2012 — Leave a comment

PencilsDo you want to preach like no one else?

Then stop trying so hard to preach like somebody else?

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love listening to great preaching! I am currently subscribed to 18 church podcasts (I recommend Downcast). I never miss a good message from preaching giants like Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, or Matt Chandler.

Most of the time when I’m driving my car I’m not listening to top 40 radio. I’m listening to a top 40 sermon. I just can’t get enough of it. I love good preaching!

Personally, I think exposing myself to a lot of quality preaching has really helped me grow as a communicator. Everyone who wants to improve should learn from those who are better than them. But if Im not careful, my obsession with famous pastors can also hurt me. Continue Reading…

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