Resources e-letter 23:2 - April 2023
News in this issue of two more sets of Training Notes covering sermon or talk illustrations and an introduction to the biblical theme of hospitality with 15 ideas for how to put it into practice. There is then a listing of all new uploads over the past 18 months.
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NEW: Illustrating what you say
These Notes provide advice for preachers and speakers in church on the use of illustrations in a talk. But there is a warning that illustrations must serve the message and not dictate it. Twelve types of illustration are listed and commented on.
- Story telling
- Living analogies
- Personal testimony
- Apt quotations
- Probing questions
- Visible objects
- Supportive PowerPoint
- Appropriate humour
- Sudden surprise
- Message application
- Group discussion
- Interactive quiz
Spoken words alone can be dull. Here are practical ways to ‘colour’ what you say.
Training Notes TN145, Illustrating what you say, are now available without charge on the Training Notes index page of this website.
NEW: Be hospitable!
These Notes explain the biblical background for why churches need to demonstrate hospitality and then provide 15 ways in which any church can offer this service to others.
Hospitality is defined as ‘the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers’. It is more than just inviting someone for a meal. It is a service that is embedded in the biblical culture.
But disciples are then expected to show it themselves. We are told in Romans, Hebrews and 1 Peter to practise it and in the Pastorals to demonstrate it.
The 15 ideas for a hospitable church include the following:
- Short-term accommodation
- Church meals
- Free events for the local community
- Disability care
- Food banks
- Identifying those with this gift ….. and nine others.
Training Notes TN146, Be hospitable!, are now available without charge on the Training Notes index page of this website.
The most recent uploads
Here is a list of other new materials added to the website over the past 18 months.
A51 The ‘To Do Diary’ guide – How to use this simple tool
A52 How to run a church vision day – A DIY training aid
A53 The UCAN story – Networking Church Administrators
A54 How to get a message across – A DIY training aid
TN135 How to conduct a disability audit
TN136 Restructure your committees
TN137 The message of your people
TN138 Categories for church operations
TN139 Church workers in teams
TN140 A checklist for a business plan
TN141 A church council Code of Conduct
TN142 Values create a culture
TN143 Protect your church from scams
TN144 360-degree review for churches?
To print out a complete listing of all resources, scroll down to the bottom of the Resources page and download the pdf there.
Please ensure all these materials are widely promoted in your church. Thank you for your interest in my website.