As one who has preached weekly for the past few decades, I will admit my preaching has changed through the years. I am not unique. Many have experienced this evolution. John Wesley said, “Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago.” I believe my best sermons are in my future.
In the beginning, my sermons were directed by the lectionary. At the end of the three year cycle my people heard a balanced Gospel. I still value lectionary teachings. I preach the incarnation at Christmas and I preach the resurrection at Easter. I am sensitive to the themes of Advent and Lent. However, in the past decade, I have moved away from the lectionary. Like many, I have moved toward sermon series. This move has reinvigorated me and sparked a new level of creativity.
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