We once took our youth group on a ski trip to Colorado and managed to take our vans down a wrong turn – a dirt logging road covered in snow. The big 15-passenger van handled it, but our minivan got stuck.
So after having no luck getting a signal or calling roadside assistance we did what any level-headed group leaders would do.
We rammed the minivan with the church van!
First, we put blankets over the front bumper and hood and pine branches under the wheels and then we gave the bigger van enough gas to dislodge the minivan (with the youth group watching safely from thirty feet away).
Looking back, I wonder, was there a better way out?
I’ve also been stuck spiritually before, and you likely have as well. And the problem with getting stuck spiritually is that we often try to struggle until we’re exhausted. Or we give up and settle into the rut long term. Or, we lose our heads and make terribly destructive decisions.
And then Jesus comes along!
That’s the focus of this week’s featured sermon idea, based on the story of Bartimaeus who experienced healing from blindness once he called out by faith for help.
It’s also the topic of a blog post I wrote about where I feel I’m at today compared to the last couple of years. I wanted to pass it along because it’s already encouraged other people who have read it.
Read: Why 2022 Was the Year of My UNdoing (and Why I Want More Of It in 2023)
In the meantime,
Keep on growing!
Brandon
PS – My friends Chris and Ryan are absolutely the best when it comes to helping churches know how to draw more visitors each weekend. And they’re hosting a free workshop next week that you don’t want to miss!
More Details and Registration Are Here!
This Week’s Big Sermon Idea
How to Have a Fresh START with Faith
Based on Mark 10:46-52
God has taken the initiative to offer us a saving relationship with himself, but if we want to experience the full healing and renewal of that offer, we must overcome our pride and express our dependence boldly.
Read and/or Share the Full Article »
Creative Sermon Series Ideas from MinistryPass
My favorite resource for sermon series and message ideas, complete series graphics, and video bumpers (but NOT full notes) to get you started is MinistryPass! Each week, I’ll feature a series I would recommend checking out for the upcoming season of the church year. This week:
From the Description:
Many individuals want a fresh start at the beginning of the year. This series details the gospel’s power to bring us hope, renewed strength, and contentment, even in difficult times.
Check Out This Sermon Series »
Upcoming Events
Grow Your Church Workshop
January 5, 2023
Are you trying to get the word out about your church, but you still feel like you’re the best-kept secret in town? Steal the 2023 Church Growth Plan from Ryan and Chris at Church Marketing University and use it for your church.
Exiles in Babylon: Theology in the Raw Conference
March 23-25, 2023 (Boise, ID)
To be a Christian is to be an exile. The Bible has a name for the country we’ve been exiled to: Babylon. As exiles living in Babylon, we need to think biblically, Christianly, indeed exilically—not partisanly—through cultural and political issues. This year, our topics include: The Future of the Church, Disability and the Church, Multiethnic Perspectives of American Christianity, a conversational debate on the Problem of Evil, and a pre-conference symposium on Women in Leadership!
Registration and More Information Here »
If you have an upcoming event relevant to pastors and church leaders that you’d like me to add to my calendar of events, feel free to message me!
Miss an Issue?
Read The Reflectionary Archives!
About the Cover Art: Photo by Gavin Tyte on Unsplash.
Give Your Sermon Life Beyond This Sunday with Your Own Website
I work with pastors who 1.) don’t have a staff member dedicated to communications and 2.) don’t have the time to handle it all themselves to do the following:
- Create a website where you can host your sermon content so that it lives beyond Sunday.
- Transcribe your Sunday messages and edit them into articles and ebooks.
- Create short video clips and other social media posts from your sermon videos.
- Create and manage an email list so people can be updated when you’ve added new content.
- Meet monthly to coach you through some creative sermon planning and preparation.
If you believe I can help you, let’s talk!
