Top Ten Signs Your Sermon Went Well

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 19, 2012 in Preaching | 6 comments

Ministers often struggle with feedback following the message. While many ministers hear the typical, "Good sermon." followed by a handshake, they would much rather see the benefits of the message in the daily life of Christians. (i. e. – if we preach on evangelism, then see members evangelizing.)

I have decided I would come up with a top ten list of "Signs Your Sermon Went Well." Some are comedic, two are serious.

Top Ten Signs Your Sermon Went Well

1. A visitor requests you apply at their congregation.
2. No one threw a song book.
3. Instead of saying great sermon someone says "I am going to go do something with the message."
4. The elders cancel the meeting they were going to have with you after services.
5. No one offers to pay for you to do mission work in a foreign country for the rest of your life.
6. Members congratulate you for “finally doing it right.”
7. No one gives you a website where you can download sermons.
8. Your congregation stops taking applications.
9. Someone asks you if you are preaching again next week.
10. You preached the gospel of Christ.

What would you add to the list?

Just my thoughts,

A Preacher’s Christmas Wish-list

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Dec 13, 2011 in Christian Living, Preaching | 1 comment

Have you ever wondered what to get your preacher for Christmas? I am sure you have, in fact, I bet you were out shopping this morning for that perfect preacher gift. I want to help you out today and share seven items from every preacher’s wish-list. Give them a look and see what gift you can give today.

By the way, many preachers will not forward this because they feel it might be egotistical, but you can forward it!

Seven Items from a Preacher’s Wish-list:

• Unity - "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" (Psalm 133.1; ESV)
• A Godly Vision – "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4.17-18; ESV)
• Remember the Forgotten – "For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me." (Matthew 26.11; ESV) Jesus ascended from the earth and left His followers to be the shining light. Have you remembered the poor? (Psalm 41.1)
• Working Members – "But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1.22; ESV) Volunteer to participate in an area of work in the congregation. It is time we work instead of wish. It is time for the brethren to step up, instead of sitting down. Become active and live the promise of Galatians 6.9.
• Encouraging brethren – "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10.24-25; ESV)
• Listen to the Message – "Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings." (Isaiah 51.7; ESV) We all know that God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are greater than our ways, but are we listening to His words? Listen and draw near to God. 
  Begin building your faith by actively listening to the message .
• Get Broken – "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice." (Psalm 51.7-8; ESV) David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba and he needed to be broken by God to be made whole again. Break yourself free from sin, or ask God to break you.

Just some thoughts,

What is in Your Toolbox?

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Nov 28, 2011 in Ministry, Preaching, Technology | 0 comments

Not long ago I spent a few hours deep cleaning the garage; a task I have put off for approximately three years – three years!

The task was not difficult; it just took concentrated time and a few hours to work through. The task was simple and extremely needed. You see, I have three children; two daughters and a son, who enjoy rummaging through my toolbox to see what they can find. As a result of their rummaging, I had tools scattered through out my garage and even my house. So, I decided to take on the task of some major cleaning. I sat in the floor of my garage for an hour rummaging through each tool, screw, nail and unknown item placing them in organized sections on the floor.

After all the organizing was done I began to place each one back in my toolbox and tool bag in a useable order. To say the least, every tool I have is organized and can be easily found! Tonight one of our neighbors needed some help with a car problem and ask to borrow my automotive tools. Guess what was easy to find? – my tools! I was actually excited about finding a spark plug gapper because I knew exactly where it was located.

Is your “personal development toolbox” organized and easy to find? I know each individual has a filing system accustomed to his work and his personal needs, but what about your library? Is it easy to find the book you need? I am not a guru on time management, but I am thankful I have a father who stressed time management from my childhood. He stressed it because he knew in whatever occupation I chose I would need it. Here are a few tips and tools I would suggest:

• Handle every piece of mail and email once! Many second, minutes, hours and minutes are wasted due to mail or email many times. Once you receive a piece of mail spend a few moments deciding what to do with it and do it. If it needs a reply, send one; if it needs to be paid, pay it. Schedule time during your day to handle mail.
• Schedule two times a day to handle email! Instead of handling each email as it comes into your inbox, take an hour to two a day. Spend a scheduled amount of time handling email,  instead of a hit or miss system and watch your productivity increase.
• Do not move stacks of stuff! Each of us has stacks of stuff. My stuff is material I need to read. Whenever you start organize your toolbox or workspace, do not move the stack of stuff form place to place. Spend an hour or two dealing with your stack of stuff. Plan time, in the next week, to deal with your stack instead of moving it from the right side of your desk to the left side.
• Spend time planning! Take 15 minutes at the end of each day and plan tomorrow. Spend 30 minutes on Friday (or your last day of the week) scheduling next week. Spend 45 – 60 minutes at the end of the month, planning for next month. Plan, plan plan, or plan to fail.
• Use your computer for a limited amount of time a day. Schedule a block or two of time for computer work. Use your other times for writing, reading, praying, etc. As a technological people, we waste much time surfing the internet, instant messaging, reading email, and the list could go on. Spend a block of time online, instead of the whole day and see how it goes.

Spend time organizing you ministry toolbox and watch how efficient you can be. I will share a couple more tips next week.

Just some thoughts,

“I Got Nothing from the Sermon”

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Sep 7, 2011 in Preaching | 0 comments

Every preacher has heard this statement before. Rarely does it come from the original person, but it comes from a third-party or an evaluation meeting. Whatever the case, to those who “get nothing” out of the sermons, I would like to ask you a few simple questions:

(1) What did you put into the sermons?

• Did you prepare your mind before Sunday?
• Did you open your mind to the message or be as a Pharisee (Matthew 15.1-9) or a mocker (Acts 17.32)?
• Did you open your Bible and follow along or sit and gloat?
• Did you take notes on the message to review later?
• Did you bring a proper attitude to worship?
• Just another thought: The old saying rings true, “you get out of something what you put into it.”

(2) Since when is worship about you?

• Do you not come to join with the saints in mutual fellowship and mutual worship to God the Father?
• Do you not come to support the preaching of God’s Word or do you always look to see what you get from it?
• Do you glorify God or seek self-glorification?

(3) Where was your mind during the sermon?

• Were you think of how to apply or know the message or were your thoughts on how much time you are wasting? (Attitude determines altitude)
• What were two points listed during the message?
• Can you recall three passages of scripture during the message?
• Can you recall the title of the message?

These questions will not solve all the issues with a sermon, but they provide a good start. Many times people need to look internally before looking externally. The majority of times I have heard this comment, it is from people who pay no attention to the lesson, people who leave before the lesson, or people who do not even show up for worship.

Just my thoughts,

Is it Time to Withdrawal?

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jun 6, 2011 in Ministry, Preaching | 0 comments

As I find myself sitting outside in the screened-in porch the only sounds are the gentle breeze and the waterfall of my garden pond. These sounds provide some serenity in the midst of a busy day. Earlier this year I had the privilege of taking a much needed Sabbatical. I realized during my time away from the ministry, I was on the verge of a burnout. I have talked with other preachers and even spoken on avoiding burnout, but found myself on the very edge of it.

Since my sabbatical I realize there are times where I need to withdrawal myself for the sake of the road ahead. I am sure this idea is not foreign to you or to other careers, but I have finding the benefits of withdrawals. In doing some research regarding withdrawal to refresh and renew, I found the list below. The list was compiled by R. J. Morgan (source provided below)

The Withdrawals of Jesus

• Matthew 4:1: Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness.…
• Mark 1:35: Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed.
• Luke 4:42: Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place.…
• Luke 6:12: Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
• Matthew 14:13: When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.
• Luke 5:16: So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
• Mark 3:7: But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea.
• Mark 6:31: And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile.”
• Luke 9:10: Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
• Matthew 14:22ff: Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
• John 6:15: When Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.
• John 7:53f: And everyone went to his own house. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
• Mark 7:24: From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it.…
• Matthew 17:1: Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves …
• Mark 9:30: They departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.…
• John 10:40: And He went away again beyond the Jordan.…
• John 11:54: Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness.…
• John 12:36: These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.
• Matthew 26:36: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane …
• Luke 22:41: And He was withdrawn from them.…

Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes

(electronic ed.) (709). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

What are the benefits of a withdrawal in your experience?

Just my thoughts,

Study Guide on 1st John

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Jan 29, 2010 in Preaching | 2 comments

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)

Every time I study the letter of 1 John I find an amazing letter of encouragement, hope and expectation to followers of Christ. The older apostle John draws on his experience in the lifetime he had following Jesus, being a missionary, suffering hardships for the and glorying in the moment of God. As his hand is directed by the  Holy Spirit to write these words, their power is fully seen not in the writing, but in the meaning. Living what the apostle writes is a fully fledged allegiance to the eternal and the benefits are found every day.

Below is a copy of a Bible Class Study Guide I put together to use in an adult Bible class. The material is not exhaustive of every verse in 1 John, but it was designed to be a discussion guide.

I have provided a copy of the Bible Class Study Guide below. You may download and distribute the study guide. Also below you will notice there are a couple editable copies below. You may download the editable copies and adapt them for use in your own congregation or studies.

To Download:

To Download a PDF copy of the Study Guide by clicking the picture to open up a new window or right clicking the picture and going to “Save As…”

Want a copy you may edit yourself? Below are two different links: one for an editable edition in Microsoft Word 2007 and another for the editable edition in Microsoft Word 2003. You may download the version you like by right clicking on the link and then choosing “Save As..”

All that I ask is you let me know you have downloaded the file and are using it.

Editable Copies:

• Microsoft Word 2003 Version
• Microsoft Word 2007 Version

If you have trouble downloading the files, contact me using the Contact link here or  at the top of the page and I will email you a copy of the material.

I hope you will check out the other resources found on the Preacher’s Pen under Ebooks, Sermon Outlines and PowerPoints. Each of the resources is provided to you at no-cost.

Just some Friday thoughts,

Chris