Sermon Handouts and Listening Notes: Pros and Cons

To do or not to do, that seems to be the question when it comes to sermon handouts and listening notes. Every pastor has their own opinion on this topic. Some avoid sermon notes because they feel it restricts their freedom during sermon delivery. If they provide an outline of their sermon and then opt … Continue reading Sermon Handouts and Listening Notes: Pros and Cons →

Learning Styles: How to Lose More Than Half Your Audience Before You Start

Think back for a moment to your high school or college days. What classes would you label your favorites? Why? Now think about how you enjoy learning today? Do you like to learn in a solitary environment where it is just you and a book and you can think deeply? Do you like to learn … Continue reading Learning Styles: How to Lose More Than Half Your Audience Before You Start →

The Value of the Long Tail in Ministry

Mention “the long tail” to most pastors, and they will think of the familiar caricature of the devil: spiked horns, pitchfork, and a long tail. The truth is, the long tail is a concept that has proven a very valuable resource for the church, and something that pastors should diligently work to employ in their … Continue reading The Value of the Long Tail in Ministry →

Should Church Leaders Model Effective Learning?

Wendy Wickham observes: Why would we expect students to learn or want to learn anything if we, as staff and faculty, don't model that ourselves? So what would that entail? What observable behaviors would there need to be?How often are they collaborating? Are people actually talking to each other? Within the department? Outside … Continue reading Should Church Leaders Model Effective Learning? →