Art of the Sermon
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Art of the Sermon episodes

  • Episode 71: How to Lead in a World of Distraction - An Interview with Clay Scroggins

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Guest: Clay Scroggins - Lead Pastor of Buckhead Church (Atlanta, GA)

    Intro to Clay Scroggins (0:45)

    Philosophy of preaching (3:56)

    Role of preaching in pastoral duties and identity (5:17)

    Preaching when you’re not the senior leader (7:43)

    How to Lead in a World of Distraction (12:26)

    Diagnosing distractions (14:32)

    Distraction and preaching (20:50)

    Preaching versus self-help talks (24:08)

    Favorite and/or most challenging preaching experience (30:23)

    Christmas Eve or Easter (31:23)

    Impactful communicators (31:57)

    Recommended resources (32:35)

    Connecting with Clay (33:50)

    Reaching out to our guest

    @clayscroggins (Twitter)

    @clayscroggins (Instagram)

    @ClayScrogginsAuthor (Facebook)

    ClayScroggins.com (Website)

    Connect with the Show

    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:

    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com

    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    1. Clay Scroggins
    2. Buckhead Church
    3. North Point Ministries
    4. Andy Stanley
    5. Rev. Olu Brown on Art of the Sermon
    6. How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority by Clay Scroggins
    7. Carey Nieuwhof on Art of the Sermon
    8. How to Lead in a World of Distraction: Four Simple Habits for Turning Down the Noise by Clay Scroggins
    9. MyCom Church Marketing Podcast
    10. Timothy Keller
    11. Louie Giglio
    12. John Ortberg
    13. How I Built This with Guy Raz
    14. Hidden Brain
    15. Tim Ferriss
    16. ‎The Last Laugh

    36 min
  • Episode 70: Permission to Go Short This Advent

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: Permission to Go Short This Advent

    Connect with the Show


    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:


    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    5 min
  • Episode 69: Responding to Negative Feedback

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: Responding to Negative Feedback

    Michael Bierut and negative feedback (0:09)

    Michael's response (1:52)
    Acknowledge that the feedback is heard (2:38)
    Give a window into the intention (3:37)
    Be realistic about next steps (4:29)
    Offer positive reinforcement (5:17)
    Create a space for unity (6:23)
    Bonus tip: no one gets a full page (7:12)

    Next Episode arrives November 15, 2018!

    Connect with the Show

    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com

    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Michael Bierut
    • MasterCard Explains Its New Logo, Both What’s New and What Isn’t – Adweek
    • I'm With Her: What I learned designing a logo for Hillary Clinton
    • Big Ten Logo
    • Negative Space: Logo Design with Michael Bierut - 99% Invisible
    • 025: A Career in Preaching - Part 1 with Bishop Ken Carter - Art of the Sermon - Defining Grace
    • 026: Preaching as a Tool for Unity - Part 2 with Bishop Ken Carter - Art of the Sermon - Defining Grace

    9 min
  • Episode 68: Inside Out

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: Inside Out - A sermon based on the concepts in Simon Sinek's "Start With Why"

    3 Year Anniversary (0:09)

    Intro to "Inside Out" (0:52)
    Is Pepsi ok? (4:47)
    Power of Coca-Cola (12:26)
    Start with why (14:25)
    The call of Jeremiah (22:21)
    Adapted golden circle (23:57)
    What happens when we sin? (28:59)
    Application to organizations (31:34)
    Greatest commandments as expressions of identity (33:47)
    World Communion Sunday (35:12)

    Next Episode arrives November 1, 2018!

    Connect with the Show

    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com

    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | TED Talk
    • Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

    39 min
  • Episode 67: Replanting the Sermon - An Interview with Abby Norman

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Guest: Abby Norman - Pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church (Atlanta, GA)

    Intro to Abby Norman (0:41)

    Abby's story (2:09)
    Why is preaching important when you have influence elsewhere? (9:21)
    What is foundational to Abby's preaching (13:31)
    How preaching fits into Abby's pastoral identity and vocation (18:14)
    Choosing sermon topics (19:49)
    Evolution in Abby's preaching (21:41)
    Leaving the manuscript behind (26:14)
    Favorite and most challenging preaching experience (29:19)
    Christmas Eve or Easter (32:12)
    Impactful communicators (34:05)
    Recommended resources (38:32)
    Connecting with Abby (40:32)

    Reaching out to our guest

    @AbbyNormanSays (Twitter)
    @AbbyNormanSays (Instagram)
    @AbbyNormanSays (Facebook)
    AbbyNorman.net (Website)

    Next Episode arrives October 18!

    Connect with the Show

    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com

    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Abby Norman
    • New Hope UMC
    • Church Planting 6: The Woman At The Pulpit by StartUp from Gimlet Media
    • Church Clarity
    • Rev. Dr. Ted Smith
    • Barbara Brown Taylor
    • Mary Moore | Ball State University
    • Jennifer Talbert
    • Jen Hatmaker
    • SheLoves Magazine
    • Kelley Nikondeha

    43 min
  • Episode 66: Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing


    The anxiety of planning and writing sermons (0:10)


    Plan ahead (2:49)


    Match your planning to your personality (4:05)


    Focused time (6:22)


    Personal devotion and writing time (8:23)


    Capture ideas that capture you (10:10)


    Listen to your community (11:40)


    Remember God's faithfulness (13:12)


    Wrap up (14:56)

    Next episode arrives October 4, 2018!


    An interview with Abby Norman, Pastor at New Hope UMC (Atlanta, GA) and recently featured on the Start Up Podcast


    Connect with the Show


    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:


    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Nadia Bolz-Weber
    • CNLP 173: Craig Groeschel Deconstructs His Approach to Preaching, Leadership, Success, The Future and More
    • A Focus on Distraction
    • Evernote
    • Google Forms
    • SurveyMonkey

    18 min
  • Episode 65: The 3 Arcs

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: The 3 Arcs

    Welcome back (0:10)

    Narrative Arc (3:28)
    Emotional Arc (8:05)
    Rhythmic Arc (14:30)
    Arcs across series (18:44)

    Next episode arrives September 20, 2018!

    Connect with the Show

    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com

    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Launch Podcast
    • Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
    • Amos Lee - Running Out Of Time
    • Jim Gaffigan

    22 min
  • Episode 64: I'm Still Here - An Interview with Austin Channing Brown

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Guest: Austin Channing Brown - Author, writer, and speaker

    Introduction to Austin (0:35)

    How and why Austin started work in racial reconciliation (3:52)
    Why "I'm Still Here" is a memoir (9:12)
    The importance and uniqueness of the voice of Black women (12:13)
    Helpful and unhelpful ways to lead conversations on race (16:12)
    Why some people of color turn down opportunities to teach or lead discussions (21:39)
    Natural communication takes hard work (28:58)
    How Austin curates her stories (31:04)
    Austin's growing edges (34:54)
    Most challenging project (37:18)
    Impactful communicators (38:19)
    Recommended resources (39:51)
    How to follow Austin (41:07)

    Reaching out to our guest

    @austinchanning (Twitter)
    @austinchanning (Instagram)
    @austinchanningbrown (Facebook)
    AustinChanning.com (Austin's website)

    Art of the Sermon is going on a short break and will return in Fall 2018

    Connect with the Show

    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com

    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com

    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
    • Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil
    • Efrem Smith
    • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
    • \Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
    • For colored girls who have considered suicide/When the rainbow is enuf by Ntozake Shange
    • Brené Brown
    • DeRay Mckesson (@deray) | Twitter
    • But Some of Us Are Brave: Black Women's Studies by Akasha (Gloria T.) Hull, Patricia Bell-Scott, Barbara Smith, and Brittney C. Cooper
    • Dr. Maya Angelou
    • Paul Laurence Dunbar
    • Lecrae
    • Neichelle Guidry
    • Christena Cleveland
    • Lisa Sharon Harper
    • Rev. Traci Blackmon
    • Renita J. Weems
    • Jeremiah Wright
    • Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III
    • Bishop T. D. Jakes
    • Rev. Judy Peterson
    • 2 Dope Queens
    • Another Round
    • Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period

    43 min
  • Episode 63: Better Church Announcements

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: Better Church Announcements


    Important Announcement (0:09)


    Church Announcements (4:12)



    1. Use more channels (5:39)


    2. Make the channels valuable (6:18)


    3. Focus on the point, mission, or vision (7:10)


    4. Tell a story (8:41)


    5. Cut the details (9:24)


    6. Clear call to action (10:25)


    7. Consider the context (12:14)


    8. Target specialized announcements (13:12)


    9. Strategy and policies (14:06)


    10. Worksheets or templates (15:01)


    Next Episode arrives May 17, 2018!


    An interview with Austin Channing Brown, Author and Speaker


    Connect with the Show


    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:


    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Defining Grace
    • Better Church Announcements - Defining Grace

    17 min
  • Episode 62: Secrets of a Top 5 TED Talk

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!

    Topic: Secrets of a Top 5 TED Talk


    Intro (0:13)


    Feeling comfortable (1:41)


    But not too comfortable (4:09)


    Passion plus familiarity (5:50)


    Focus on the "why" of what you're saying (7:19)


    Make a connection with the room (9:15)


    Being vulnerable (10:55)


    But not too vulnerable (12:38)

    Next Episode arrives May 3, 2018!


    Connect with the Show


    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:


    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon

    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    Links:

    • Brené Brown
    • The power of vulnerability | TED Talk
    • The Tim Ferriss Show #100: Brené Brown on Vulnerability and Home Run TED Talks
    • Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
    • Rising Strong by Brené Brown
    • Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown

    16 min

About Art of the Sermon

From the publisher's feed

“Art of the Sermon” is a show for preachers, teachers, and communicators. My aim is to make a show for leaders in ministry–formally or informally, inside or outside the church–who have an interest in preaching/public speaking and church communication.