I happened to be having a conversation with a friend today about Preachers and preaching. What we liked what we didn't.

I came to the conclusion that many preachers have good things to say but do not know how to address their remarks. They come out boring and flat.

What they say is good but how they say it is not.

What do they teach them in classes? Anyone know? Anyone care?

Can we have a discussion?

I have been following another thread and a question has arisen for me and I don't want to derail the thread.

Is it the minister's mandate to be confrontational from the pulpit?

How about content - politics, issues, etc. Is there anything off bounds?

If there is a congregation of 50 . Do you preach to the 45 or do you preach to the 5 who are left or right of centre?

Should the congregation leave with hope or should they leave disgruntled?

I came across this ad for one of our local radio stations. Part of the job description looks like this:

I wonder how that would look at part of the job description on a Joint Needs Assessment?

Do you have any favorite websites you could share that you use in preparing your sermons ?  I am especially looking for good, scholarly, free bible commentary sites, but anything you'd recommend would be great.  Thanks.

Rishi

This week, in the online clergy discussions in which I participate, we have been going back and forth about the use of words in sermon illustrations. It began when one pastor noted he had used the word "nigger" when telling a story *about* someone who had said it. *He himself* was not using the word, but was illustrating how racism continues, and wanted his congregation to sit up and take note.