Elvis

Last week I traveled to Portland, Oregon and had some great conversations with pastors about their preaching role. I also visited three worship services on Sunday and heard three different preachers. Portland is a tough place to preach. Surveys consistently rank Oregon as one of the most unchurched states in the country. Portlanders also love what functions as an unofficial city motto—"Keep Portland Weird." I'd suggest that that motto applies to us as well, as in "Keep Your Preaching Weird."

Here's what I mean. After listening to three very different preachers in less than eight hours, I was struck by three things: (1) They were all preaching in a similar context—Portland; (2) They had very different preaching styles—in terms of content and delivery; (3) All three sermons effectively and even powerfully ministered to churched and unchurched people. It reminded me again that as preachers we can and should learn from other preachers, but ultimately we have to find the voice and style God has given us. God wants to work through you, not you trying to be someone else.

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

• Featured Sermon: Life Line What the Resurrection opens up for us, By Lee Eclov
• Featured Illustration: What Happens in One Minute Around the World
• Video: Jesus is Alive Worship Intro

In Christ,

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

P.S. Still trying to finalize your Easter Sunday sermon? Check out our Easter holiday page and browse all of our most recent Easter sermons and illustrations.

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