CHICAGO, IL (October 25, 2017) – Covenant ministers are invited to share sample sermons or outlines as a way to help fellow clergy preach through the BLESS evangelism initiative. The sermons will be considered for inclusion among an expanded set of resources to be introduced at the 2018 Midwinter Conference.
“Sometimes pastors just need an idea or framework to spark their own messages,” said Beth Seversen, director of evangelism for the Covenant. “There is so much good preaching in the Covenant, and we see providing input from across the breadth of the denomination as a way to encourage one another and benefit from the insights of others.”
People are encouraged to submit any number of sermons from the five-part series, Seversen says.
Sermons may be sent in outline form. Each submission should include an introduction and conclusion of one to two paragraphs. The main part of the sermon would include two or three points with a Scripture passage and illustration to accompany each point. People also can submit entire manuscripts if they choose, Seversen adds.
The hugely successful initiative is meant to help congregations develop a “culture of evangelism” and guide individuals as they “practice a rhythm of evangelism.” BLESS is an acronym for five missional practices: begin with prayer, listen with care, eat together, serve in love, and share your story. Churches are encouraged to focus on one practice a week for five weeks with the goal that BLESS becomes a missional lifestyle.
More than one-third of churches in the denomination used BLESS materials last year, the first for the initiative.
Submissions may be sent to mdd@covchurch.org by November 17, 2017.
