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Feeling stagnant while preparing your weekly sermon as a pastor? In today's blog, we share tips on how to overcome sermon stagnation.
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In our walk with Jesus, we find seasons of personal growth, spiritual maturity, and even see prayers answered. These seasons are rewarding and even exciting to experience.
Of course, in the challenges of our faith, we also go through seasons of stagnation. We may find ourselves going through the motions of studying the Bible, praying, and going to church –– without seeing any clear growth, answer to prayers, or excitement.
As Christians, we may all experience this monotony from time to time –– including pastors.
While a life in full time ministry may heed more exposure to the way God moves in the lives of the congregation, church leaders may also be more susceptible to the monotony of carrying out pastoral duties on a weekly basis.
One of the most important duties of the pastor is preparing the weekly sermon. Preparing God-inspired sermons can be rewarding –– but at times pastors might find themselves in a place of stagnation when preparing sermons, week in and week out.
In today’s blog, I will be going why some pastors might feel stagnant in their sermon writing, and provide some helpful tips and tools to overcome that feeling.
God equipped pastors with many gifts to provide the Church with knowledge of His Word, leadership, and unity. One of the most effective ways that pastors do this is through creating thoughtful sermons that are based on life experience, knowledge of the world, and most importantly, deep studies of the scripture and meditation on God.
However, in studying the Word deeply, finding new ways of addressing topics, and tackling relatable issues on a weekly basis, pastors may begin to find themselves hitting a wall. The relentless demand for weekly sermons can lead pastors into a cycle of repetition and predictability, draining the creative wells and stifling the flow of innovative ideas. Because of this, pastors may feel the weight of preaching familiar messages –– feeling a lack of growth and effectiveness to what they’re communicating to the congregation.
In addition to feeling drained from repetition, pastors also have their responsibilities outside the pulpit –– such as counseling, administration, and community engagement. These responsibilities can leave pastors with limited time and mental bandwidth for deep reflection and inspired sermon preparation. The demanding pace of modern ministry can be taxing, as pastors may find themselves caught in a constant cycle of production rather than thoughtful contemplation.
For these reasons, pastors may find themselves in a place of stagnation when it comes to preparing weekly sermons.
The repetition of themes and ideas is a common pitfall for pastors facing stagnation in sermon writing.
While fundamental truths remain constant, preaching the same, unvarying message may lead to the congregation feeling disengaged. It can be easy falling into a place of comfortability, teaching the same kind of message on familiar verses and topics –– which could then lead to stagnation. To avoid this, pastors must actively seek ways to keep their sermon writing fresh, especially when it comes to teaching on familiar passages.
One effective strategy is to explore different perspectives on well-known biblical narratives. Delving into historical context, cultural nuances, or linguistic nuances can unveil new layers of meaning that breathe life into seemingly overused passages.
Pastor Bruce Rhodes of Lifeway Church tells us that “The Word of God is God speaking to us. When we study the Word, the Holy Spirit Himself hovers over us to bring a revelation of the Word that we are meditating on.” Rhodes furthers this point with the analogy:
“Meditating on the Word of God is like chewing and chewing on your food to get all of the nutrients out of what you are eating. You would not take a bite of steak and just swallow the whole piece without chewing it, right?”
Even in times of feeling stagnant, trying to come up with fresh new teachings on familiar passages, God still gives us new revelation in His Word. As we’re told in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Creativity is the heartbeat of impactful sermon writing. Yet, when pastors grapple with stagnation, creativity can seem elusive. Breaking free from the shackles of routine is essential for reigniting that creative spark.
One approach is to embrace interdisciplinary inspiration.
According to pastoral resource Preaching.com, “Delving into religious texts, theological works, philosophical writings, literature, history, and even science, can provide a treasure trove of inspiration.” Finding creative inspiration through “exploring diverse genres” provides pastors with exposure to “different styles, ideas, and narratives that can infuse their sermons with fresh perspectives and captivating storytelling techniques.” It also helps to establish a genuine connection with the congregation by incorporating personal stories and experiences, making the message more relatable and memorable.
In addition to being creatively inspired, it’s also helpful for pastors to keep their ear to the ground and observe what’s going on in the world around them. Preaching.com notes that “By observing and understanding society’s challenges, joys, and struggles, preachers can craft sermons that provide guidance, comfort, and encouragement to their congregants.”
The state of the pastor's spiritual life is intricately woven into the fabric of their sermons. When faced with stagnation, pastors must prioritize their own spiritual well-being, recognizing that the depth of their communion with God directly influences the richness of their messages.
As put by Leaders.Church:
“(...) your leadership ability is fully contingent upon your spiritual health. Attempting to lead a church without the presence of God is like trying to play baseball without a bat. Continually assessing yourself in terms of your spiritual health is vital if you want to lead in the way that God intends you to lead.”
Establishing a consistent rhythm of personal prayer, meditation, and study is crucial for pastors seeking to overcome stagnation. It is in the stillness of communion with the divine that inspiration often strikes, and profound truths are revealed. By cultivating a vibrant spiritual life, pastors not only fortify themselves against burnout but are also able to draw inspiration from fresh spiritual insight during sermon writing.
It can be hard to stay motivated when finding yourself in a place of stagnation. Writing sermons on a weekly basis takes careful thought, research, reflection, and insight on the Word of God, as well as what’s happening in the world and our own lives. When feeling stagnate, there are AI-driven writing tools that can assist pastors and ease the sermon writing process.
While these tools aren’t here to write your sermons, they can create sermon outlines, assist in finding relevant verses or stories in the Bible for a given topic, conduct research, develop character studies and even come up with modern day examples of biblical topics.
The challenge of stagnation in sermon writing can certainly be a slog to overcome, but we must remember that through God all things are possible. By recognizing the causes of stagnation, and prioritizing personal and spiritual well-being, pastors can revitalize their sermon preparation process. In doing so, pastors not only breathe new life into their messages but also nurture a vibrant, engaged congregation eager to grow in their faith.
