Dave Ferguson

I have to admit, after preaching regularly for over 20 years I could never get my sermons planned more than about six weeks ahead. So when someone pitches a "simple" way to plan a year's worth of sermon big ideas, I balk or maybe even cringe. But Dave Ferguson, pastor of Community Christian Church and one of the catalysts behind the Exponential movement, and Tammy Melchien, CCC's Teaching Team Pastor, made a believer out of me. Notice they didn't say you could plan your sermons for a year; just your sermons' big ideas. That's doable. And I love their emphasis on sermon planning collaboration. As they say, "We believe that a team of people with a teaching gift will craft a better message in less time than any one person locking him or herself away for 20-25 hours in a study." Check out Part 1 in their practical, step-by-step article series titled "Planning One Year of Big Idea Sermons."

Lee Eclov

I'm a firm believer in reading well-crafted sermons. Even with a five minute quick read you can see how a preacher organized a sermon, introduced it, outlined it, and focused it. So we'll continue to do the hard work of transcribing, gently editing, and offering manuscripts to our preaching community. For instance, take a look at this excellent sermon based on the Book of Esther from one of our veteran preachers, Lee Eclov. (Watch for parts two and three over the next two weeks.) In this sermon Eclov masterfully and pastorally engages with this question: Is God at work even when we're surrounded by people who don't mention his name? You bet he is. But let Eclov be your guide through Esther.

Also, check out these new resources:

• Featured Illustration: Book Titles Reveal Our Time Obsession
• Featured Video: Because of You: Mom, I'm a better person … because of you.
• Featured Sermon: "The Unseen King" by Lee Eclov
• Featured Skills Article: "Planning One Year of Big Idea Sermons" by Dave Ferguson and Tammy Melchien

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

P.S. Some of your favorite Preaching Today contributors are featured in upcoming issues of Men of Integrity! Start your 60 day free trial today for daily devotions from Matt Chandler, Samuel Rodriguez, A.J. Swoboda, and more!

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