Lenny

How do you move from a place of preaching fatigue to a place of preaching vitality and health? In this week's article from our new preaching skills series—" Honing the Craft: 10 Takes from Behind the Pulpit"—preacher and homiletics Prof. Lenny Luchetti offers four practices that have helped him "discard the super-hero, messiah complex that leads to stress and burn-out in ministry."

He uses the following acronym—SHED, which stands for Sleep for the mind, Hobbies for the heart, Exercise for the body, and Devotions for the soul. Lest you think this sounds nice but frivolous, Luchetti writes, that "preachers who neglect their personal and spiritual development will find they have little energy, creativity, and passion to address the soul-needs of others." Luchetti provides some great advice—advice I wish I would have followed earlier in my ministry!

This week to help you in your preaching efforts we offer the following:

• Featured Sermon: The Best Is Yet To Come By Dave Johnson
• Featured Illustration: Farmer Captures Bull with Vodka-soaked Grain
• Video: NEW! Forsaken: A lamenting reflection that connects with pain and offers hope.

In Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.