Resources on Nathan Aaseng

God, Prayer, Lord, Names Of God

The Power of Empty

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng's article says that after thoroughly preparing a sermon, a preacher should just "bring it," without being consciously concerned during the message about how it is being received.

Ministry, Preaching, Sermon, Pastor

Where's the Arc?

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng says that a sermon should not be just a collection of wisdom but should offer an arc or pattern to help people "make sense of the world, of God, and of themselves."

Preaching, Sermon, Gospel, Pattern

Winning One for the Gipper

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng says that although preachers may dream of delivering a rhetorical masterpiece with dramatic impact, it is usually more effective to build the kingdom of God "brick by brick."

Preaching, Kingdom Of God, Sermon, Imagination

Bad to the Bone

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng's article explores the fine line between engaging culture and selling out to it. If it makes the Gospel come alive? That's contextualization.

Culture, Leadership, Preaching, Contextualization

“So This Guy Walks Into a Bar....”

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng says that humor can be useful in sermons, for maintaining attention, aiding memory, and dispelling anxiety and awkwardness. But humor must not be used to feed the ego of the preacher.

Humor, Creativity, Stewardship Sunday, Anxiety

The Dark Side of Proclamation

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng acknowledges his target audiences while preaching: the faithful believers and those who show up uninterested in the Gospel. To foster credibility, Aaseng speaks to an honest confession of the church’s sins.

Confession, Humility, Reconciliation, Church

An Excellent Rant

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng says that it may be appropriate at times to preach in a way that makes listeners uncomfortable, but preachers are never justified in ranting at a congregation just to make themselves feel good.

Truthfulness, Sermon, Preaching, Prophecy

Knuckleball Approach to Children’s Sermons

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng recommends flexibility in preparation and delivery of children's sermons. "The one thing you can depend on…is that there is nothing you can depend on."

Humility, Children, Sermon, Sports

Your Kid Did What?!

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng reflects on the value of using stories in sermons, and the advantages and cautions of using stories about oneself or one's family.

Family, Preaching, Sermon, Homiletics

Wrestling With God

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng's article offers commentary on Genesis 32 showing that the wrestling match between God and Jacob doesn't lessen God's power. Rather, it shows that God, in love, gives us the wrestling time we need.

Genesis 32:22-32

Attributes Of God, Sermon, God's Love, Wrestling

Fear Factor in Preaching

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng writes on fear and confidence when it comes to preaching. Confidence has to do with faith. Fear has to do with humility.

Preaching, Confidence, Fear, Faith

Shakedown Sunday

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng discusses the difference between stewardship and fundraising. "A congregation that truly believes in the message of Jesus Christ will not have to be badgered or guilted or manipulated into giving" (Matthew 6:19-21).

Matthew 6:19-21

Stewardship, Offering, Giving, Stewardship Sunday

Stalking the Wild Idea, Part II

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Nathan Aaseng discusses four strategies for preaching in fresh ways: harvest what's in the air, mine your experience, create a chain reaction of questions, and put things where they don't belong.

Preparation, Sermon, Preaching

Chasing Birds

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Referring to Luke 5:1-11, Nathan Aaseng uses an illustration of a toddler trying to catch a bird with his bare hands to encourages preachers to continue their pursuit of God's Kingdom...even when you are discouraged.

Luke 5:1-11

Pastoral Leadership, Discouragement, Fish, Proclamation

"I Couldn't Hear a Thing"

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

What do we do about wailing children who make it impossible for people to hear? Nathan Aaseng explores this sensitive issue, inviting readers to consider what is hospitable and welcoming to all.

Children/youth, Worship, Worship Planning, Hospitality

Stewardship Refund

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

In this sermon starter for Exodus 35, Nathan Aaseng suggest a sermon on stewardship, saying that giving comes when your heart is stirred, when you recognize that God is working in you to do something dynamic.

Exodus 35

Stewardship, Gratitude, Sermon, Giving

Worship Is About More Than Personal Preferences

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

Article about Worship and the Sacraments

Is it too lofty a goal to strive for worship that has more in common with a community encounter with God than an evening at a restaurant? Nathan Aaseng reflects on the purpose of worship.

Ministry, Worship, Leading Worship, Worship Planning

Not Feeling the Love

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

In this sermon resource, Nathan Aaseng reflects on John 13:35 and on how Christians, who were first known by their love in obedience to Christ, need to relearn and reclaim that message.

John 13:35

Love, Hospitality, Church, Love Your Neighbor

Preaching to People whose Theology Differs from Mine

Nathan Aaseng | Working Preacher

In this article, Nathan Aaseng addresses the difficulty of preaching to people with different views from us and suggests these two principles: love the congregation and preach the Gospel.