I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I was at my friend’s wedding, a beautiful, joyous occasion. But the sermon at the ceremony didn’t match the mood. The pastor opened his address with a 20-minute story about how his house had been infested with cockroaches. He went into great detail describing the giant insects, and his various attempts to kill them. At the end of the sermon he awkwardly related the story to marriage. “Your marriage is like a house, and you don’t want to let pests in …” I looked around the sanctuary. People were grimacing. No one wants to think about cockroaches at a wedding!

It was a good reminder that a sermon needs to match the moment. And that means being sensitive to the needs of listeners. Right now, everyone is in some measure of crisis, due to the pandemic. Whether church members are tuning into our livestreams or coming to a physical gathering, most come with some fear and anxiety about the current situation. This week we’re featuring resources to help you address those uncertainties with the timeless truths of God’s Word. Preaching in Moments of Crisis features tips from veteran preachers on speaking to people’s fears in times of upheaval. It’s not just parishioners reeling during this time. Church leaders are hurting, too. In Grieving Ministry Loss?, Wendy Alsup points to biblical examples to help us cope with disappointment.