Art of the Sermon
A show for preachers, teachers, and communicators
About the show
“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.
The primary format for this show is the interview. This allows us to engage with a wide-range of guests on many different aspects of preaching, teaching, and communication. While many of the guests are pastors and preachers, I also believe it is important to learn from those outside the profession of preaching who have something to teach us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this site are “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.
Art of the Sermon on social media
Episodes
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Episode 55: Living for Another - An Interview with Brent Gambrell
January 4th, 2018 | 35 mins 36 secs
perspective
Brent Gambrell is President of Brent Gambrell Ministries in Nashville, TN, and the author of the new book "Living for Another." Brent joins us today to talk about why self-help preaching is the opposite of what we should be doing.
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Episode 54: 2017 Year in Review
December 21st, 2017 | 36 mins 2 secs
preaching, sermons
We take a look back at some of the most interesting moments from the show's second year!
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Episode 53: Songwriting and the Art of Christmas - An Interview with Ryan O'Neal (Sleeping At Last)
December 7th, 2017 | 50 mins 3 secs
christmas, music, songwriting
Ryan O'Neal is the singer/songwriter behind Sleeping At Last. Ryan joins us to talk about his songwriting process and Christmas through the eyes of an artist.
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Episode 52: The Grace of Dogs - An Interview with Andrew Root
November 16th, 2017 | 39 mins 44 secs
dogs, grace, writing
Andrew Root is the Olson Baalson Associate Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Andrew joins us today to talk about the writing process and heart behind his new book "The Grace of Dogs."
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Episode 51: Preparing for and Preaching Advent - An Interview with Rev. Katie Z. Dawson
November 2nd, 2017 | 32 mins 49 secs
advent, preaching
Rev. Katie Z. Dawson is the Lead Pastor of Immanuel United Methodist Church in Des Moines, IA. Katie joins us to talk about preparing for Advent and perspectives on the season we may overlook.
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Episode 50: Preaching as Leadership - An Interview with Carey Nieuwhof
October 19th, 2017 | 48 mins 22 secs
leadership, preaching
Carey Nieuwhof is a podcaster, author, and Pastor of Connexus Church in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Carey joins us to talk about preaching as a tool for and act of leadership.
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Episode 49: Preaching Through a Dry Season - An Interview with Rev. Dalton Rushing
October 5th, 2017 | 37 mins 47 secs
dry seasons, prayer, preaching
Rev. Dalton Rushing is the Senior Pastor of Decatur First United Methodist Church in Decatur, GA. Dalton joins us to talk about preaching through and out of spiritually dry seasons.
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Episode 48: Money, Generosity, and Stewardship - An Interview with A.J. Thomas
September 21st, 2017 | 36 mins 58 secs
generosity, money, stewardship
A.J. Thomas is Founder and Director of the Joyful Giving Group. A.J. joins us to offer perspectives and tips on talking about money and generosity.
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Episode 47: The Power of Public Theology - An Interview with Sophia Agtarap
September 7th, 2017 | 44 mins 50 secs
laity, public theology
Sophia Agtarap is the Director of Communications at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Sophia joins us today to talk about the power of public theology and the role clergy and lay can play.
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Episode 46: Sermon Writing and Repurposing - An Interview with Justin Trapp
August 17th, 2017 | 28 mins 6 secs
sermon writing, tools
Justin Trapp is the founder of Ministry Pass and the co-creator of Sermonary. Justin joins us today to talk about the tools we use to write sermons and how to repurpose sermon content.
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Episode 45: Single Moms and the Church - An Interview with Alisha Gordon
August 3rd, 2017 | 42 mins 46 secs
single moms
Alisha Gordon is a writer, published author, and serves as the Executive for Spiritual Growth at United Methodist Women. Alisha joins us to talk about the relationship between single moms at the church.
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Episode 44: Ministry in Rural Communities - An Interview with Rev. Allen Stanton
July 20th, 2017 | 32 mins 38 secs
rural ministry
Rev. Allen Stanton is the pastor of Merritt's Chapel United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill, NC. Allen joins us to talk about the blessings and challenges of doing ministry in rural communities.
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Episode 43: When Sermon Illustrations Aren't "Family Friendly" - An AOTS Minisode
July 6th, 2017 | 15 mins 46 secs
illustrations, pop culture
What do you do when you find the perfect sermon illustration in a piece of pop culture, but the wider work in which it is found isn't "family friendly"? This minisode offers some tips to guide your discernment.
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Episode 42: Ministry in a Big City - An Interview with Rev. Olu Brown
June 15th, 2017 | 29 mins 32 secs
preaching, urban ministry
Rev. Olu Brown is the founding and lead pastor of Impact Church in Atlanta, GA. Olu joins us to talk about what it's like to preach and do ministry in a big city.
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Episode 41: Preaching with Purpose - An Interview with Rev. Adam Hamilton
June 1st, 2017 | 36 mins 55 secs
mission, purpose
Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding and senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Adam joins us to share what he's learned over his career in preaching.
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Episode 40: Young Adult Ministry - An Interview with Rev. Chris Abel
May 18th, 2017 | 43 mins 11 secs
millennials, young adults
Rev. Chris Abel is the Young Adult Pastor at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Chris joins us today to share about where the church succeeds and fails with young adults.