July 2025

Dear preachers,

This summer, we're revisiting some of the stories and articles originally published in For the Messengers that are now housed in our new preaching resource library.

Read on for Tanya Lopez's story about a sermon she didn't intend to preach and Ron Allen's reflections on the characteristics of Disciples preaching, and then explore the resource library for more.

Also in this issue:

Registration for the Disciples Preaching Retreat is open now and there's a code for 10% off if you register before the end of July.

Our next Preacher Book Club session is happening in September. Grab a copy of the book and join us.

What's your preaching story? We're now accepting submissions for future issues of For the Messengers.

Details on all this and more below. Blessings as you proclaim the good news this week.

Rev. Lee Hull Moses

Executive Director, The Proclamation Project

Office of General Minister and President

Disciples Preaching Retreat

November 10-12, 2025

Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ

A promo video for the 2025 Disciples Preaching Retreat

Use code DPR25SAVE10% to save 10% when you register by July 31.

Learn more and register

From the Resource Library:

Everything Preaches and Teaches

I was not feeling my best. I was tired and emotionally drained. I was also feeling empty in terms of my capacity to channel the kind of energy that it takes to deliver a sermon. I preach bilingually every week and it takes a lot of time and work to write sermons that don’t feel repetitive for those that understand both English and Spanish and that also build and move the message forward while alternating between two languages. I was struggling to follow my own manuscript and ended up preaching a completely different sermon than what was planned. All that I had worked so hard on remained on my iPad unspoken. I shed tears as I preached which made my voice crack. This wasn’t the dynamic way I wanted to preach that day.

Preacher Book Club

Get started on our next read: Preaching God's Grand Drama: A Biblical-Theological Approach, by Ahmi Lee.

We will meet online on Tuesday, September 16 to discuss the book, with two opportunities to join the conversation.

Learn more and sign up

From the Resource Library:

Characteristics of Disciples Preaching

From our earliest days Disciples preaching has been characterized by differences in content, style, purpose, and cultural expression. While there is no single Disciples way to preach, certain themes weave in and out of Disciples preaching. I briefly identify seven such themes. I wonder how others might perceive these things.

What's Your Story?

We want to hear what preaching is like for you these days. We’re looking for first-person true stories and reflections about the preaching life.

Some examples of what we’re looking for:

Tell us about a time when you were really stumped by the text but the Holy Spirit showed up anyway.
Tell us about a conversation with a parishioner that was inspired by a sermon you preached.
Tell us something funny/scary/heart-warming that happened during one of your sermons.
Tell us how you fell in love with preaching. Or tell us why you fell out of love with preaching.
Tell us a lesson you learned through a sermon that didn’t go the way you planned.
Tell us how your preaching has changed over the years.

Submissions can be written (400-600 words) or video (3-5 minutes). Submissions chosen for publication will receive a $75 honorarium.

Read the full submission guideliens

Did you miss last month's issue of For the Messengers? Read it here.

Looking for preaching resources? Visit our Resource Library.

If this email was forwarded to you by a friend, sign up so you don't miss the next one.

We know you have a preaching story to tell. Find the submission guidelines here.

What have you read lately that has inspired your preaching? What resources do you find most helpful? We'd like to hear from you.

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