Starting Strong: Thriving in the First Years of Preaching

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Season 2, Episode 9: Preaching at Evangelistic Events with Sam Chan
Christmas. Easter. Carols. Community events. Special evangelistic nights. These moments can bring people into our churches who may rarely or never hear a Christian sermon. But how do we preach the gospel to a room where many people may have little understanding of Christianity and may not even be sure why they're there?
In the final episode of Season 2, we’re joined by Sam Chan (evangelist, author, and experienced communicator) to explore how to preach clearly and compellingly at evangelistic events. Sam brings years of experience thinking about how the gospel connects with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
We discuss:
Making the most of opportunities like Christmas, Easter, Carols, and community events
Explaining the gospel clearly without assuming too much 
Building a bridge from everyday experience to the message of Jesus 
Engaging people who are sceptical, curious, or spiritually indifferent 
Using stories, illustrations, questions, and humour effectively 
As the season comes to a close, this episode brings us back to the heart of preaching: proclaiming Christ to real people in real situations. Whether you're preaching at a packed Christmas service, an Easter gathering, a community event, or any other evangelistic opportunity, this conversation will encourage you to preach the gospel with clarity and confidence.
Our prayer is that these conversations would help raise up a generation of faithful, clear, and compelling preachers of God's Word. If you've enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit. 
https://startingstrong.substack.com

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Season 2, Episode 8: Preaching to Comfortable Christians with Tim Johnson
How do you preach to people who genuinely believe the gospel, regularly attend church, and yet have become comfortable in their Christianity? How do you challenge complacency without simply piling on guilt?
In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Johnson (lecturer on preaching and pastoral care at Ridley College) to explore the challenge of preaching to Christians who may be spiritually settled, comfortable, or resistant to change. We consider how the Word of God can lovingly expose complacency, renew our vision of Christ, and call believers to deeper faith, obedience, and mission.
We discuss: 
Preaching challenge without becoming harsh or moralistic 
Calling people beyond comfort towards sacrifice, holiness, and mission 
How a bigger vision of God provides the motivation for Christian growth 
Preaching to people who know the right answers but may have lost their sense of wonder 
Whether your congregation is prosperous, settled, mature, or simply familiar with the rhythms of church life, this conversation will help you think about how to preach God's Word in a way that wakes us up to the glory of Christ and the cost, and joy, of following him.
Our prayer is that these conversations would help raise up a generation of faithful, clear, and compelling preachers of God's Word. If you've enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit. 
https://startingstrong.substack.com

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Season 2, Episode 7: Preaching to Gen Zs and Millennials — with Guy Mason
How do you preach faithfully to generations shaped by smartphones, social media, individualism, and a rapidly changing cultural landscape? And how can we understand the people sitting in front of us without simply trying to make the gospel “cool”?
In this episode, we’re joined by Guy Mason, founding and Senior Pastor of City on a Hill, to explore how preachers can communicate the unchanging gospel to Gen Zs and Millennials. Guy shares practical wisdom on understanding the questions, assumptions, and longings of younger generations, while keeping the message firmly centred on Christ.
We discuss:
What characterises the worldviews of Gen Zs and Millennials 
How cultural awareness can strengthen rather than compromise biblical preaching 
Communicating clearly in an age of distraction and scepticism 
Speaking to younger generations without pandering to them 
Why the timeless gospel remains exactly what younger people need 
Whether you’re preaching to a congregation full of young adults or simply want to understand the generations you’re trying to reach, this conversation will help you preach with greater cultural awareness, clarity, and confidence without changing the message.
Our prayer is that these conversations would help raise up a generation of faithful, clear, and compelling preachers of God's Word. If you've enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit. 
https://startingstrong.substack.com

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Season 2, Episode 6: Kids Talks with Ian Jones
How do you explain big truths to little people? And how can a children's talk be more than just a few entertaining minutes before the sermon?
In this episode, we're joined by Ian Jones—children's ministry leader and experienced thoughtful communicator—to explore the art of giving faithful and memorable kids' talks. Ian shares practical wisdom on communicating God's Word to children in a way that is simple without being simplistic, fun without becoming distracting, and always centred on Christ.
We discuss:
 How to communicate big biblical truths in simple language 
 Using illustrations, objects, and interaction effectively 
 Holding children's attention without relying on entertainment 
 Keeping the gospel at the heart of every kids' talk 
Whether you're leading a children's talk every Sunday or only occasionally, this conversation will help you communicate God's Word in a way that captures young hearts while serving the whole church.
Our prayer is that these conversations would help raise up a generation of faithful, clear, and compelling preachers of God's Word. If you've enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit. 
https://startingstrong.substack.com

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Season 2, Episode 5: Preaching to Women with Joy Arundell
How can preachers faithfully proclaim God's Word in a way that genuinely connects with the women in their congregation? What helps women feel seen, understood, challenged, and encouraged by the gospel?
In this episode, we're joined by Joy Arundell to explore what it looks like to preach with women thoughtfully in mind. Joy shares insights from years of study, teaching God's Word to women, and thoughtful practical wisdom.
We discuss:
 How women hear and respond to preaching 
 Common blind spots that can unintentionally hinder communication 
 Preaching to the real joys, pressures, and challenges women face 
 Avoiding stereotypes while speaking with empathy and truth 
 Keeping Christ at the centre as we call women to faithful discipleship 
Whether you're preaching to a Sunday congregation, a women's event, or simply want to grow in serving the women God has entrusted to your care, this conversation will help you preach with greater clarity, compassion, and gospel purpose.
Our prayer is that these conversations would help raise up a generation of faithful, clear, and compelling preachers of God's Word. If you've enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would benefit. 
https://startingstrong.substack.com