How to Preach Advent Like Never Before with Vanessa Stricker

How to Preach Advent Like Never Before with Vanessa Stricker

Author: Steve Carter November 22, 2022 Duration: 41:21
For a lot of people, the holidays are physically frenetic, emotionally overwhelming, and spiritually distracting. Few slow down long enough to ponder what’s happening in their own souls, or to give more than a passing thought to the significance of this season: God coming to earth. That’s why Steve Carter is excited to introduce you to an incredible Advent devotional, written by his good friend Vanessa Stricker, who is the Pastor of Peacemaking and Justice at One Life City Church in Fullerton, California. Advent Reflections earnestly reminds individuals and families that hope, love, joy, and peace come from the God who does not shrink back from lament or suffering, but willingly embraces it to bring light into darkness. With Advent just days away, this is a great resource to guide you through the coming season, so that you might experience his nearness. EPISODE LINKS Buy Vanessa’s Advent Reflections here. Vanessa’s blog: onthesideofgrace.com Church: onelifecitychurch.org @onthesideofgrace @steveryancarter @craft_character PREACHING TODAY CHRISTMAS RESOURCES My Favorite Christmas Theme: Create Meaningful and Memorable Christmas Services, by Bri Johns Fear and Loathing in Bethlehem: As a Christian I love Christmas; but as a Preacher I dread it, by Paul Hoffman Preach Nothing New This Christmas ... And It Will Be Novel: Do we always have to find a new spin on the Christmas story?, by Mandy Smith Christmas and the Minor Prophets: For Advent let the 12 Minor Prophets lead us to Christmas, by Taylor Turkington Mary Christmas!: Exploring the lives of the 4 Marys in the Christmas story, by Scott M. Gibson Christmas Holiday Resource Page

Steve Carter hosts Craft & Character, a space where the art of preaching meets the inward journey of the preacher. This isn't about quick tips or isolated techniques; it's a deep, thoughtful exploration of how who you are fundamentally shapes what you say from the pulpit. Each episode rests on a central, challenging question: are you merely transferring religious information, or are you speaking from a place that has been genuinely and personally transformed? The conversations in this podcast argue that authentic, impactful communication of faith cannot happen without the messenger's own life being shaped by the very truths they proclaim. You'll hear Steve engage with a variety of voices on the intricate blend of skill development and spiritual formation. The discussions are grounded in practical wisdom for the craft of sermon preparation and delivery, while always circling back to the essential priority of character, integrity, and a vibrant personal walk. Designed for those in ministry, from seasoned pastors to those just starting out, this podcast offers a rare and refreshing honesty about the pressures and privileges of the role. It’s for anyone who believes that teaching well requires living well first, making Craft & Character a vital resource for personal growth and professional development within the realms of faith and leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Craft & Character
Podcast Episodes
Preaching Faith as a Spider Web with Meredith Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Teaching kids about God is one of the greatest tasks of our lives. Even with good intentions, It’s easy to slip into behavior-driven moralism that emphasizes good behavior while neglecting the heart of God. This disconne…
When the World Breaks with Jason Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:47
The world is broken. When we see and feel that brokenness, it sometimes feels impossible一even illogical一to cling to faith. In this episode, Jason Miller, lead pastor of South Bend City Church in Indiana, describes his ow…
How to Reach Urban Youth with Tommy Nixon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Steve Carter chops it up with his best friend Tommy Nixon一CEO of the Urban Youth Workers Institute一about how to reach the next generation for Christ. Tommy unpacks 20+ years of urban ministry, including: What to do about…
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Duration: 56:20
Every communicator must decide: Am I going to be the person pretending I don’t have flaws, or am I going to be someone with something to say? For Michele Cushatt一author, speaker, and communication coach一three bouts with…
Master the Art of Storytelling with Nick Benoit and Paul Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:20
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Find Healthier Ways to Preach on Sex with Sheila Wray Gregoire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:17
Sex is designed by God to be a gift, but tragically, it’s horribly misused to objectify women一not only in the world at-large一but also in the church. In this episode, Sheila Wray Gregoire, author of The Great Sex Rescue,…
Finding Streams in the Wasteland with Andrew Arndt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:11
Andrew Arndt had an airtight plan for his life: keep preaching at the same church as lead pastor until his final breath. But when God led him out of his small, artsy community into a megachurch, while grateful for his ne…
Preaching the Centrality of Christ with James Forsyth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:14
Every time James Forsyth preaches, his goal is to set hearts ablaze一like Jesus in Luke 24, when he opened the scriptures with his disciples and their “hearts burned within them.” As the senior pastor at Cedar Springs Pre…
Having Words with God with Addison Bevere [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:26
Prayer is the one thing we know we’re supposed to do, but often the thing we don’t know how to do一or if we’re 100% honest一the thing we don’t always want to do. In this episode, Steve Carter talks with Addison Bevere, who…
Preaching Theology for Everyone with Joel Muddamalle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:58
Knowledge often produces hubris, not humility, which is why Joel Muddamalle is such a refreshing theological voice. As the Director of Theology and Research for Proverbs 31 Ministries, and a preaching pastor at Transform…