Advice

I finished reading a book about ministry: Best Advice: Wisdom on Ministry from 30 Leading Pastors and Preachers, edited by William J. Carl III.

Gardner Taylor writes: Two Scottish crofters sat together in a highland church. The preachers' sermon seemed to go on interminably. The first farmer said to the second, "When is he going to finish?" The other said, "He is finished now, he just won't quit."

Eugene Peterson writes: The Holy Spirit descended into the womb of Mary in the Galilean village of Nazareth. Thirty or so years later the same Holy Spirit descended into the collective womb of men and women, which included Mary, who had been followers of Jesus. The first conception gave us Jesus, the second conception gave us the church.

Peterson again: The church is difficult. Many Christians find the church to be the most difficult aspect of being a Christian. Many drop out. It is no easier for pastors. The attrition rate among pastors leaving the their congregations is alarming.

Advice from Alyce M. McKenzie: A sermon only needs one ending. Multiple endings annoy people.

John Buchanan writes: I've learned that sermons are like Scotch whiskey. The longer the time in the barrel, the better the product will be.

There is a lot more substantive stuff in this book.

I would add my own two pieces of advice: (1) Start the sermon as close to the end as possible. (2) Every sermon should have at least one point.