You Must Have a Sermon Calendar

September is fading into October, for me, that means it is time to ratchet up my preparation for writing my sermon calendar for next year. The fact that Sunday is coming is not an esoteric mystery. It happens every week. If you are called to preach the Word of God a part of that process is preparing a long-range plan that will enable you to prepare individual sermons and series of sermons that meet the needs of your congregation. 

Like any task which requires both short-term and long-term thinking, you need a plan to help you in understanding both the immediate scope and long-term goals for the project. I just drove through a construction site today. Dozens of individuals were deployed in tasks ranging from traffic control to truck driving to running the paving machinery. Beyond that, someone had to decide that this road needed work now, as opposed to some other stretch of road. Someone had to take core samples and source materials. Someone had to determine how long the job would take, including both beginning and end dates. To be blunt the construction I drove through did not just happen. Someone planned it. Someone prepared. 

I intend to write many more words about the process of preparing a sermon calendar, throughout October, while I am preparing my plan for 2022. If you know me or have followed my blog you have, at some time, heard or read me address this issue. The Church desperately needs to hear Biblical preaching. Biblical preaching takes work. The best work which most of us will ever do is that which is considered beforehand, planned carefully, and executed lovingly. If you preach, I want you to preach well. I want you to be the best you can be and that begins by giving yourself enough time to do good exegesis, read quality books, think creatively, and write boldly. 

Some of you might wonder, “what if x happens?” First, “x” or “y” will likely happen. Ministry occurs at the intersection of eternity and right now. It is far easier to deviate from a carefully prepared plan and then return than it is to not have a plan and be driven by whatever is going on in the world. A plan provides discipline for your reading and study. Yes things, will come up. When the emergency passes, and routine resumes you need to be able to sit down the following Monday and say… “Now, where was I?”