Time magazine has a really interesting article about religion on YouTube. No one should be surprised to learn that Christians, Jews, Muslims, and every other brand of religion is flooding YouTube to educate the ignoranent masses about their doctrines. Time includes many examples of videos to watch. I particularly recommend the Christian version of Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” called “Baby Got Book.” (Somebody get me a bucket.)I’m working on an article right now for Christianity Today, and the subject of YouTube preaching is directly related. I’m trying to discuss the impact of mass communication technology on preaching, and what the relationship is between a sermon and the community from which it arises and to which it is addressed. Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill famously said, “All politics is local.” Can…

Our gospel arsenal is a lot bigger than it used to be. We can choose to preach the Good News from a number of different angles, according to the audience we’ve been given.

We live in a dark world. Our hearts long for goodness, beauty, justice, and peace, but they are often hidden behind the shadow cast by evil and sin. This is why preaching is so necessary. Whenever the kingdom of God is proclaimed, it is like a bright burst of light. In those brief moments, the shadows recede and we are given a glimpse of a world behind the darkness. It is a sublime vision that reorders our perception of reality and leaves us hungry for more.This understanding of preaching, the unveiling of an inspiring vision of God’s kingdom, is not the one I’ve always held. I was formed to think that the primary purpose of preaching was instruction. This view of preaching expects the informed, articulate person behind…

You may think writing a sermon every week is challenging work, but imagine writing speeches everyday for the leader of the free world. That was Michael Gerson’s job for six years under President George W. Bush. Last night I attended a benefit dinner in Chicago where Gerson was the keynote speaker. Prior to the dinner I participated in a small roundtable discussion with Gerson about his time in the White House and his perception of current challenges—domestic and international—facing the country.Much of the conversation focused on Gerson’s responsibility in crafting the President’s response in the days following 9/11. Leading a nation in shock and grief is not easy, but simultaneously showing strength and resolve is a challenge few presidential speechwriters have faced. Gerson was almost universally praised for…