Talbot Davis's Blog

Several years ago during a  Next Step group, a woman made the most interesting observation about Good Shepherd: This is not a big church.  It’s a church where a lot of people belong. And I did what I always do in a situation like that:  exclaimed “that will preach!” and then wrote it down to keep

The post A Big Church … Or Something Else? appeared first on Simplify The Message.

Chris Thayer, our Zoar Campus Pastor, gave yesterday’s message as we wound up the  Comeback series.  I “hosted” at Zoar itself and that community got to see “their” pastor on the big screen.   He was terrific. Check it out: ———————————————- When the ball dropped on 2019 I was excited. I was excited for brand

The post Guest Blogger Chris Thayer — The “When Truth Dies” Sermon Rewind appeared first on Simplify The Message.

We’ve come back for two weeks. Now we wrap up that “transitional” series that has brought us back worship that is live, indoors, and safe. This week it’s When Truth Dies and you can catch it at … Any of  our livestream broadcast platforms at 9 and 11 am Eastern Time; 9 and 11 at

The post Comeback, Week 3 — “When Truth Dies” appeared first on Simplify The Message.

Look what happens next week at the Northwest Texas Annual Conference Clergy Retreat at Ceta Canyon Campround: Simplify The Message & Multiply The Impact Would you like tools to preach clearly, to lead confidently, and to innovate boldly? Then the 2020 NWTX Clergy Retreat is for you. Join us October 12 – 15, 2020 at

The post The Eyes Of Texas Will Be Upon …. Me? appeared first on Simplify The Message.

Most of you know that I am a “think-to-talker” much more than a “talk-to-thinker.”  Though I deliver my Sunday messages without notes, I design them with great care and for the most part know what I’m going to say and when I’m going to say it. Verbal processing is not really my strength.  Written processing

The post When God Used An Ad-Lib appeared first on Simplify The Message.

After six months in virtual exile, we returned to live, indoor worship at Good Shepherd this past Sunday. In preparation for it, I didn’t feel nervous.  Or excited.  Or scared.  I almost felt … nothing.  I now realized that was a defense mechanism to guard against any disappointment.  In retrospect, however, my great feeling is

The post Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Reflections On A Return To Live, Indoor Worship appeared first on Simplify The Message.

Yesterday’s message … Was actually designed and prepared in MAY, when I thought we might be coming back to “live” church in JUNE.  Welp! Drew parallels from our “return from exile” since March and Israel’s “dream-filled” return from much more literal exile in Psalm 126; Recognized that the nostalgia of Psalm 126:1-3 is replaced by

Talbot Davis is the pastor of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Talbot has written edited thousands of sermon series, including five that turned into Bible Study books published by Abingdon Press. Talbot shares his experience on preaching for Christ in his sixth book release, Simplify The Message, Multiply the Impact. His sixth book is ideal for both new and veteran preachers, seminary classrooms, and preaching workshops.

The post Comeback, Week 2 — The “So RETURN Doesn’t Become RELAPSE” Sermon Rewind appeared first on Simplify The Message.

It’s been six months in exile. And Sunday, the exiles return home. Week Two of Comeback features a return to live and indoor worship at Good Shepherd.  We know many of you aren’t yet ready or comfortable coming back “live” yet and that’s we’re expanding to TWO livestream options, at 9 and 11 a.m Eastern

The post “Comeback” Week 2 — “So Return Doesn’t Become Relapse” appeared first on Simplify The Message.

One of the dangers of being a long-time Christian is that you begin to think you know what a particular section of the bible is about — since you’ve read it so many times — before you sit down to encounter it once again. Case in point: Romans 6-8. For many years, I’ve been sure

The post The Danger Of Familiarity appeared first on Simplify The Message.

During my time in pastoral ministry, I have become relatively comfortable and effective at dealing with people who are in crisis mode.Not perfect by any stretch.  But by and large I have been able to be a “non-anxious” presence in people’s lives when they are faced with issues around grief, marriage, addiction, trauma, and even

The post Consistency & Crisis appeared first on Simplify The Message.