Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for preaching

The Base Hit Sermon (Letters to a Young Pastor)

July 6, 2017 by Gary Neal Hansen 5 Comments

Dear ______: Thanks for your note, which brings me back to the topic at hand: preaching. And baseball. A couple of letters ago I was musing about the “home run” sermon you heard from a famous preacher. I suggested that when you step into a pulpit, hitting a home run is not really a great […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Seminary Tagged With: base hit sermon, baseball, preaching, Ty Cobb

Can You Hit a Home Run Sermon? (Letters to a Young Pastor)

May 3, 2017 by Gary Neal Hansen 6 Comments

Dear ______: So, you went to hear The Great Preacher. He made you laugh. He made you cry. He left you with new insights about the Bible and your life. I’m not surprised. He is gifted, with well-honed skills. He left you feeling inadequate as a preacher. I’m not surprised about that either — though I […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Seminary Tagged With: Earl Palmer, Home Run Sermon, preaching, Ty Cobb

Do You Cite Your Sources in Sermons? (Letters to a Young Pastor)

February 16, 2017 by Gary Neal Hansen 3 Comments

cite sources in sermons

Dear ______: Well I suppose you are right on both counts: I didn’t quite answer your question, and I didn’t explain my most interesting point very well. Sorry. I’ll give it another go. You asked Just how much do pastors depend other people’s commentaries in their sermon development? How much is reading or quoting others […]

Filed Under: Ministry Tagged With: Citing your sources, preaching, Sermons

Your First Sermon (Letters to a Young Pastor)

January 26, 2017 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

your first sermon

Dear ______: Well I have to say your letter brought me joy: I know being in your first preaching class makes you nervous, but I think it is just great. Whether you become “a preacher” full time or not, Christians are given good news to share with the world. Preaching class is a lab to […]

Filed Under: Ministry, Seminary Tagged With: first sermon, Letters to a Young Pastor, preaching

Vocabulary Lesson: The Keys of the Kingdom (Heidelberg Catechism, Q83)

October 29, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Read your King James Bible and several times you’ll run across the word “sackbut.” Say that today and somebody will feel insulted. Back in 1611 people knew it was a musical instrument. Language changes as centuries pass. That can happen with theological vocabulary too. Take the word “keys.” Listen hard to sermons, to your Christian […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology, Vocabulary Tagged With: Discipline, Keys, preaching

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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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