Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Letters to a Young Pastor

Letters to a Young Pastor: Dealing with Stress

January 17, 2019 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

dealing with stress

Dear ______: You are absolutely right: It has been far too long since we’ve written to each other. Thanks for the update on your life in this final year of seminary. It does sound really stressful. You probably feel like the weight of the whole world is on your shoulders — like poor old Atlas. […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Prayer, Seminary Tagged With: Dealing with Stress, Jesus Prayer, Letters to a Young Pastor

Letters to a Young Pastor: Choosing a Field Education Placement

August 30, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

field education

Dear ______: I’m glad that you have reached the point in your seminary education that you are having to think about field education. I don’t know what your seminary requires, but hopefully you will have to do at least two placements. Why two? Because your education will be more complete if you can see and practice […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Seminary Tagged With: Field Education, Letters to a Young Pastor

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it Yours?

July 19, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

is it yours

Dear ______: My goodness, with the kids being out of school for summer the time gets swept away. Sorry to have not written for so long. You are kind to ask if there are other criteria for making sure your children’s sermon is on track. I mentioned checking what you prepare to make sure it […]

Filed Under: Bible, Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, Letters to a Young Pastor, plagiarism

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Is it Gospel?

June 7, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

is it gospel

Dear ______: Thanks for asking me to clarify. I said something about how children’s sermons often reveal a preacher’s real theology, for good or for ill. I suspect it is because pastors do not think of the children’s sermon as a sermon. They think of it more as a conversation. If they have a warm, […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Theology, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, grace vs. works, Letters to a Young Pastor, Telling children the gospel

Letters to a Young Pastor: The Children’s Sermon — Preaching on Other Topics

April 26, 2018 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

preaching on other topics

Dear ______: Yes, you are right, of course. I too have heard some really good children’s sermons that are on topics other than the biblical text behind the grown-ups sermon. I’ve even preached some. Good Practice, Not Unbendable Law When I said that the biblical text of the morning should be the topic of your […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Ministry, Worship Tagged With: Children's Sermons, Choosing your topic, Letters to a Young Pastor

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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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