Book: Rewiring your preaching

What preachers preach is not necessarily what hearers hear. Have you ever wondered why some hearers are affected by a sermon but not others? The issue may not necessarily be the content or delivery of the message. It may be how your hearers' brains process what you say. Modern neuroscience illuminates how our brains understand and hear sermons. Verbal stimuli can be accepted or rejected depending on the context of how they are received. The brain processes new information differently than information that reinforces already-held beliefs. To have long-term effect, new information must connect with previous memory. Psychologist, physician and preacher Richard Cox shows that better understanding of the brain can help preachers be more effective in their preaching. Intentional, purposeful preaching can actually produce new neural pathways that change how the brain thinks and how its owner acts. Our brains are intimately connected with how our bodies work, especially in how brain stimuli produce behavioral responses and how people experience comfort and healing in times of pain. God is at work in our brains to enable his people to hear him. Preach with the brain in mind, and help your hearers grow in mental, physical and spiritual health.

Contents
1. Brainstorm vs. Short Circuit
2. Linking Brain and Sermon
3. The Brain Sees Preaching As Unique
4. The Brain Uses Preaching For Healing
5. The Core Process of Preaching is Brain Work
6. Preaching Provides Brain Energy
7. Brain Stimuli Produce Behavioral Responses
8. Preaching and Pastoring Are Different
9. Getting To the Brain with Theology
10. Preaching and the Brain in Pain
11. Brain Healing and the Soul
12. Brain Healing and the Mind
13. Brain Healing and the Body
14. Brain Healing and the Community

Resources: Caring for your pastor

Pastoral for many pastors is challenging, what helps pastors cope with these challenges, live healthy lives (physically and mentally) is when they are cared for.  Following are some resources to help congregations and fellow Christians care for their pastors.    If you are aware of any others please add them to the comments.  

Biblical Study

Textual Study on caring for Pastors 

Articles 

Article:  The cost of not caring for your pastor (includes suggestions on how to care for your pastor)
Article:  How to care for your pastor
Article:  Gospel Coalition - 7 ways to care for your pastor 
Article: Support and care for the pastor - a critical role of the board
Article;  50 ways to love your pastor

Blog - Pastoral Meanderings - who cares for the Pastor?

Handout:  Who cares for the Pastor?

Books

Free pdf Book - Who cares for the Pastor?

Videos

Bible Study: Lutheran Spirituality - Witness

Spirituality is a common term today, but what does it mean? To find the right answer, Lutheran Spirituality directs adult Bible study participants to God's Word. Lutheran Spirituality explores the Bible, Luther's Small Catechism, and the Lutheran hymnal as integral resources for living out our faith in a spiritually confused-and sometimes confusing-world.

As Lutherans, we affirm that sharing our faith with others is an integral part of our Christian existence in this world. This activity remains with us even as the Church enlists certain individuals for outreach projects close to home or overseas. In this study, we hope to encourage among Lutherans a broader commitment to share their faith in whatever calling, the Lord has placed them.

Session 1: Salvation to the Ends of the Earth
Session 2: Rooted in Christ's Ministry
Session 3: Follow Me
Session 4: Witness Boldly
Session 5: Go Where?
Session 6: The Hub of Christian Life and Witness

This is a downloadable study available from CPH

Mission bulletin sentences based on the Lectionary

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod - Texas District Witness and Outreach has developed some Mission Sentences based on the Lectionary Reading for the week...
They are available at:  
Year A
Year B
Year C

Evangelism Tool: HIS coin

His Coin is an evangelism tool developed by Kevin H. Park to help you discuss and help people remember two key gifts from God, Grace and Mercy. 
Kevin sees them as two sides of the same coin.  

To order discover more about this story and to order the coins visit http://www.hiscoin.com/