71 episodes

“Art of the Sermon” is a show for preachers, teachers, and communicators. My aim is to make a show for leaders in ministry–formally or informally, inside or outside the church–who have an interest in preaching/public speaking and church communication.
The primary format for this show is the interview. This allows us to engage with a wide-range of guests on many different aspects of preaching, teaching, and communication. While many of the guests are pastors and preachers, I also believe it is important to learn from those outside the profession of preaching who have something to teach us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

Art of the Sermon Dan Wunderlich

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.7 • 25 Ratings

“Art of the Sermon” is a show for preachers, teachers, and communicators. My aim is to make a show for leaders in ministry–formally or informally, inside or outside the church–who have an interest in preaching/public speaking and church communication.
The primary format for this show is the interview. This allows us to engage with a wide-range of guests on many different aspects of preaching, teaching, and communication. While many of the guests are pastors and preachers, I also believe it is important to learn from those outside the profession of preaching who have something to teach us.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this site are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    How to Lead in a World of Distraction - An Interview with Clay Scroggins

    How to Lead in a World of Distraction - An Interview with Clay Scroggins

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!


    Guest: Clay Scroggins - Lead Pastor of Buckhead Church (Atlanta, GA)


    Intro to Clay Scroggins (0:45)
    Philosophy of preaching (3:56)
    Role of preaching in pastoral duties and identity (5:17)
    Preaching when you’re not the senior leader (7:43)
    How to Lead in a World of Distraction (12:26)
    Diagnosing distractions (14:32)
    Distraction and preaching (20:50)
    Preaching versus self-help talks (24:08)
    Favorite and/or most challenging preaching experience (30:23)
    Christmas Eve or Easter (31:23)
    Impactful communicators (31:57)
    Recommended resources (32:35)
    Connecting with Clay (33:50)


    Reaching out to our guest
    @clayscroggins (Twitter)
    @clayscroggins (Instagram)
    @ClayScrogginsAuthor (Facebook)
    ClayScroggins.com (Website)


    Connect with the Show
    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
    Links:
    Clay ScrogginsBuckhead ChurchNorth Point MinistriesAndy StanleyRev. Olu Brown on Art of the SermonHow to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority by Clay ScrogginsCarey Nieuwhof on Art of the SermonHow to Lead in a World of Distraction: Four Simple Habits for Turning Down the Noise by Clay ScrogginsMyCom Church Marketing PodcastTimothy KellerLouie GiglioJohn OrtbergHow I Built This with Guy RazHidden BrainTim Ferriss‎The Last Laugh

    • 35 min
    Permission to Go Short This Advent

    Permission to Go Short This Advent

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!


    Topic: Permission to Go Short This Advent


    Connect with the Show
    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.

    • 4 min
    Responding to Negative Feedback

    Responding to Negative Feedback

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!


    Topic: Responding to Negative Feedback


    Michael Bierut and negative feedback (0:09)
    Michael's response (1:52)
    Acknowledge that the feedback is heard (2:38)
    Give a window into the intention (3:37)
    Be realistic about next steps (4:29)
    Offer positive reinforcement (5:17)
    Create a space for unity (6:23)
    Bonus tip: no one gets a full page (7:12)


    Next Episode arrives November 15, 2018!


    Connect with the Show
    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
    Links:
    Michael BierutMasterCard Explains Its New Logo, Both What’s New and What Isn’t – AdweekI'm With Her: What I learned designing a logo for Hillary ClintonBig Ten LogoNegative Space: Logo Design with Michael Bierut - 99% Invisible025: A Career in Preaching - Part 1 with Bishop Ken Carter - Art of the Sermon - Defining Grace026: Preaching as a Tool for Unity - Part 2 with Bishop Ken Carter - Art of the Sermon - Defining Grace

    • 8 min
    Inside Out

    Inside Out

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!


    Topic: Inside Out - A sermon based on the concepts in Simon Sinek's "Start With Why"


    3 Year Anniversary (0:09)
    Intro to "Inside Out" (0:52)
    Is Pepsi ok? (4:47)
    Power of Coca-Cola (12:26)
    Start with why (14:25)
    The call of Jeremiah (22:21)
    Adapted golden circle (23:57)
    What happens when we sin? (28:59)
    Application to organizations (31:34)
    Greatest commandments as expressions of identity (33:47)
    World Communion Sunday (35:12)


    Next Episode arrives November 1, 2018!


    Connect with the Show
    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
    Links:
    Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | TED TalkStart with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

    • 38 min
    Replanting the Sermon - An Interview with Abby Norman

    Replanting the Sermon - An Interview with Abby Norman

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!


    Guest: Abby Norman - Pastor of New Hope United Methodist Church (Atlanta, GA)


    Intro to Abby Norman (0:41)
    Abby's story (2:09)
    Why is preaching important when you have influence elsewhere? (9:21)
    What is foundational to Abby's preaching (13:31)
    How preaching fits into Abby's pastoral identity and vocation (18:14)
    Choosing sermon topics (19:49)
    Evolution in Abby's preaching (21:41)
    Leaving the manuscript behind (26:14)
    Favorite and most challenging preaching experience (29:19)
    Christmas Eve or Easter (32:12)
    Impactful communicators (34:05)
    Recommended resources (38:32)
    Connecting with Abby (40:32)


    Reaching out to our guest
    @AbbyNormanSays (Twitter)
    @AbbyNormanSays (Instagram)
    @AbbyNormanSays (Facebook)
    AbbyNorman.net (Website)


    Next Episode arrives October 18!


    Connect with the Show
    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
    Links:
    Abby NormanNew Hope UMCChurch Planting 6: The Woman At The Pulpit by StartUp from Gimlet MediaChurch ClarityRev. Dr. Ted SmithBarbara Brown TaylorMary Moore | Ball State UniversityJennifer TalbertJen HatmakerSheLoves MagazineKelley Nikondeha

    • 42 min
    Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing

    Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing

    Thanks for checking out this episode of Art of the Sermon! Be sure to subscribe through Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast app. If you enjoy this episode, leave a review on our podcast’s page in the iTunes store. This will help others discover the show!


    Topic: Overcoming Anxiety in Sermon Planning and Writing


    The anxiety of planning and writing sermons (0:10)
    Plan ahead (2:49)
    Match your planning to your personality (4:05)
    Focused time (6:22)
    Personal devotion and writing time (8:23)
    Capture ideas that capture you (10:10)
    Listen to your community (11:40)
    Remember God's faithfulness (13:12)
    Wrap up (14:56)


    Next episode arrives October 4, 2018!
    An interview with Abby Norman, Pastor at New Hope UMC (Atlanta, GA) and recently featured on the Start Up Podcast


    Connect with the Show
    I would love to hear what you think about the show—especially this episode. You can connect with the show and send me your feedback through the following channels:
    Facebook - Facebook.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Twitter- Twitter.com/ArtOfTheSermon
    Instagram- Instagram.com/ArtOfTheSermon


    Comment on the Show Notes post at ArtOfTheSermon.com


    Art of the Sermon is a project by Dan Wunderlich of Defining Grace. Learn more at DefiningGrace.com


    Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in these show notes may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Defining Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
    Links:
    Nadia Bolz-WeberCNLP 173: Craig Groeschel Deconstructs His Approach to Preaching, Leadership, Success, The Future and MoreA Focus on DistractionEvernoteGoogle FormsSurveyMonkey

    • 17 min
  • © 2022 Dan Wunderlich

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
25 Ratings

25 Ratings

Rev. John Bryant ,

Great Interviews!

Dan does an excellent job of prioritizing his guests and giving them room to share their expertise with his questions. Excellent resource for any communicator!

Mr. Faculty ,

Helpful Resource. More Variety!

Helpful, useful podcasts for the most part. I especially appreciated Jorge Acevedo's fascinating approach to collaborative sermon preparation. Hearing from more women preachers and teachers of preaching is needed.

PastorEmJ ,

Rut Breaker!!!

I am so thankful for Dan's ministry. He asks thoughtful questions, has introduced me to new concepts, and brings in guests who matter. Every episode I learn something new to help me be a better preacher. It's so easy to get in preaching ruts. But if you start listening to Dan, you can continue to grow as a communicator! You need this podcast!