The Weekly SERMON STARTER Introduction

To Apply – Send an email to SERMONSTARTER@triumc.org. In the “Subject” box write one word subscribe. To unsubscribe, use the same process, except write unsubscribe.

Basis –
     This material is Gospel based and follows the traditional lectionary reading used by the United Methodist Church. Although, as most already know, this denomination is a contributor to the universal lectionary used by most denominations. In other words, this is not the place to find information on the New Testament Letters, although the same philosophical principles could be applied.
Focus –
     This weekly SERMON STARTER is philosophically and functionally scripture-based. Each sermon outline presupposes there is a message to be taught that undergirds the preaching of the Good News. To this end, the scripture itself functions as the outline of the sermon. One of the author’s axioms is “Teach the Preach, instead of Preach the Teach.” People today are
spiritually hungry to understand the structure of the Good News. Then, they can apply the relevance of it to their own human situations. There is an assumption here that most preaching gets stuck attempting to be relevant without pushing through to the depths of the Good News.
Purpose –
     Sermon preparation frequently can use a jump start. This is it. Not too much information, not too little. You’ll find just enough information to get your own mind something on which to chew.
Leadership --
     The author, Dr. William Salmon, is a retired UMC pastor after serving 40 years in the active ministry: eighteen years in the churches of the Kansas West Conference; eleven years on the administrative staff at Kansas Wesleyan University; the remaining eleven years with the Institute of Cultural Affairs and the Ecumenical Institute. With ICA/E.I., he was assigned to numerous places around the world where he invented the methods used in this SERMON STARTER.
The Theology or Philosophy applied --
     The methods used for the SERMON STARTER are refreshing and unique. For too long Christian faith made objects of their traditional language or code words. This objectification results in ideas about God, Christ, Holy Spirit, etc. Since we all have different ideas ("Head Trip Analysis") the results can be argued. However, when our old Christian code words are turned into statements of experience ("Gut Trip Analysis"), the meaning takes on startling significance. Everyone can affirm another's experience.
     "Gut Trip Analysis" is employed in this SERMON STARTER. Details of this approach are available above in the PDF document, "Old Christian Code Words: "Head Trip Analysis" vs. "Gut Trip Analysis."
The Anticipated Outcome--
     Each week you’ll receive the SERMON STARTER based on the lectionary scripture. Each SERMON OUTLINE is brief and includes the following information: A suggested theme, the Key Verse, and a potential outline including, a Prelude, Four Points and a Postlude or conclusion. Also, a brief statement called “The Key” is a brief sentence to get your mind thinking.”
For the deeper context –
     When this material begins to intrigue you and you want to know more, call up the following website, www.triumc.org/web1/biblestudy. This is the IHOP Bible Study. This same spiritual philosophy is applied to a study of the scriptures on a weekly basis. This is an interactive study in an email format. To subscribe to the IHOP BIBLE STUDY, send an email to biblestudy@triumc.org. In the “Subject” box, write one word subscribe.

Blessings on you! (This is a Head Trip expression. Thanks to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, the following is a Gut Trip Expression and means the same thing: Happy Trails!)

Pastor Bill