Planning the Preaching Programme

Choose the preaching track
The starting point is to choose the most appropriate preaching track for your church from the four options: Matthew, Luke, 2 Corinthians or the all age resources in the Exodus track. The choice of preaching track will influence the length of the sermons series. A minimum of three sermons should be planned. The Exodus and 2 Corinthians tracks require five weeks but the materials can be edited to suit local need.

The music used during each service of worship should also reflect the theme chosen. Therefore, whoever is responsible for selecting the hymns or songs in your church will need to be informed of the chosen preaching track.

Fix the preaching dates
Fix the preaching date well in advance and ensure that there is adequate time, up to six months, for the programme planning. Always preach on consecutive weeks as far as humanly possible so as not to lose focus.

• Make alternative arrangements for infant baptisms or services with many visitors. Preaching money risks being misunderstood.
• Include all Sunday services. This is an issue for the whole church family. Do not exclude the early eucharist or an evening service.
• Choose a date for Thanksgiving Sunday
• Ensure that the liturgical resources within the chosen preaching track are available in plenty of time for worship leaders and those leading the Sunday intercessions.
• Determine whether a financial presentation is required and if so choose a date and link it with the sermons series.

Consider the other issues
Fixing the dates and the preaching theme will give a fixed point for the planning group to work towards. The preaching programme will need to consider a number of related issues. See preaching guidelines for a list of some of the issues.