Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Ministry

A Children’s Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23

January 23, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

Matthew 4:12-23

This children’s sermon on Matthew 4:12-23 is my retelling of the story of the calling of the first disciples. Stories in the Bible are often bare outlines of things that happened, leaving many details to our imaginations. One knows there must have been more conversation than made it onto the pages of the Gospels. What […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry Tagged With: 3rd Sunday after Epiphany, Children's Sermons, Matthew 4:12-23, RCL Year A

A Children’s Sermon on John 1:29-42

January 17, 2020 by Gary Neal Hansen 13 Comments

John 1:29-42

Last week I included a little children’s sermon as part of my Monday Meditation. One reader suggested I do more of these, and maybe post them separately. So here you go with one for this Sunday on John 1:29-42! If people like the idea I’ll do more, so let me know. By the way, you […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry, Worship Tagged With: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Children's Sermons, John 1:29-42, RCL Year A

Letters to a Young Pastor: Preaching Good Friday and the Seven “Words” from the Cross

April 4, 2019 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Dear ______: Hey, it is GREAT that you got invited to be one of the preachers at your town’s ecumenical Good Friday service. I know it makes you nervous. Nerves are okay — in part it means you take preaching the Word seriously. Preaching Good Friday You mention that it makes you more nervous than […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Ministry, Seminary, Worship Tagged With: Preaching Good Friday, Seven Last Words of Jesus, Seven Words from the Cross

Letters to a Young Pastor: Gregory of Nazianzus and the Nature of Ministry

January 25, 2019 by Gary Neal Hansen 8 Comments

the nature of ministry

Dear ______: I don’t usually write to two days in a row. Basically I never write you except on Thursdays. But I decided to make an exception today. In the East today is the commemoration of one of my favorite saints, Gregory of Nazianzus. I thought it would be a good idea to recommend him […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Saints Tagged With: Gregory of Nazianzus, In Defense of His Flight to Pontus, The Pastor's vocation

Letters to a Young Pastor: Can Your Remove a Layer of Stress?

January 24, 2019 by Gary Neal Hansen 2 Comments

remove a layer of stress

Dear ______: I totally get it: finding a way to keep muddling through in the midst of stress isn’t always the best answer. Sometimes it helps to find a way to actually remove a layer of stress. Can You Remove a Layer of Stress? There are, perhaps, two ways to approach this, on the timely-but-probably-horrible […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Prayer Tagged With: consolations and desolations, Examen, Examination of Conscience, Ignatius of Loyola, remove a layer of stress

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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