I've been thinking a lot lately about how preachers survive the hours after preaching. A few weeks ago A.J. Swoboda wrote a skills article, "5 Ways to Recover After a Sermon," that struck a chord with many of you. Then, last week I had a chance to chat with H.B. Charter, Pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Jacksonville. If you know anything about H.B. you know he loves to preach, but I was struck that even he needed to develop ways to decompress after his sermons. Many pastors confess that Sunday evenings become fraught with temptations to self-criticism, lust, pride, and comparison. How about you? What disciplines help you with post-sermon survival? If you're not intentional about it, you may slide into sin. So find a prayer partner, hang out with a friend, go for a run, eat a good meal, take a walk with your spouse—but do something to promote health after your sermon.

This week also offer a fiery sermon from the Ugandan Christian leader Rev. Henry Luke Orombi. In "The God Who Answers by Fire," Rev. Orombi says, "I am praying for the [church in America], that there will be men and women with the faith of Elijah, with the spirit of Elijah—men and women who will stand against the onslaught of wickedness but will be firm, will be committed to the God who never changes and is faithful … " This is a powerful perspective on a familiar Old Testament story.

Also, check out these new resources from PreachingToday.com:

• Featured Skills Article: "Preaching from a Global Perspective" by Dr. Benjamin K. Homan
• Featured Illustration: Judges Swayed By Lunch and Snack Breaks
• Featured Video: Welcome to Church: A reminder of the glory of God and gift of the Church.

I hope you can join me this September at Gordon-Conwell's 2014 National Preaching Conference—"Faithful to the Call." I'll be leading the workshop "Life by Preaching: 5 Practices that Revive a Preacher's Soul." There's also an incredible lineup of plenary speakers and the conference also offers a wide selection of workshops to help you keep growing as a preacher to the glory of God.

In Christ,

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

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