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You’ve Been Asked to Preach: Now What?
Unlock Your Preaching Potential: Ready to swap panic for power in your preaching?
About this Course
“You’ve Been Asked to Preach: Now What?” is designed to take your sermon crafting from petrifying to inspiring.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Nervous about preaching a sermon? Don’t be! Our on-demand course You’ve Been Asked to Preach: Now What? is designed to take your sermon crafting from petrifying to inspiring. By the end of this course, you will have a fully written, ready-to-preach powerful sermon that resonates with your congregation and leads them closer to God.
Step into the pulpit with conviction! You’ve Been Asked to Preach: Now What? is your comprehensive guide to creating captivating sermons that leave a lasting impact. This course will equip you with the skills to select the right scriptures, craft powerful sermons, and deliver them in a way that deeply resonates with your congregation.
Modules
Welcome
Get oriented to the course, download the interactive handbook, and access the group to chat with others!
Why Preach? Because We Have A Story To Tell!
In this module, you will
- Understand the purpose of the sermon.
What is a Faithful Sermon?
In this module, you will
- Learn the characteristics of a faithful sermon.
From Scripture to Sermon: Engaging the Text
In this module, you will
- Learn practices for engaging the text.
- Become familiar with Dwelling in the Word.
- Open up your biblical imagination.
Putting Pen to Paper (Or Fingers to Keyboard)
In this module, you will
- Learn different models for writing the sermon.
- Learn a formula for keeping the sermon focused.
Re-vision: Maximizing your Sermon
In this module, you will
- Consider the dos and don’ts of a sermon.
- Revise your draft into a ready-to-use sermon.
Preaching the Sermon
In this module, you will
- Understand the concept of “preaching as event.”
- Learn the mechanics of preaching.
Completing the Course
Find out your next steps as you complete the course and how to stay connected with your group. You'll also be able to submit feedback about your course.
One-time purchase
$55
With Faith+Lead Membership
$0*
Get a free public display license to use for group study.
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.95 per month
- Modules:
8 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors

Kathryn Skoglund
The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Skoglund is a retired ELCA pastor. With M.Div. and D.Min. degrees from Luther Seminary, she has served God and the church in a variety of ways.
Skoglund worked as an interim pastor for Eglesia Luterana Paz y Esperanza, and as a pastor for Trinity Lutheran, St. John’s Lutheran. She also served as a Chaplain for the Project Turnabout Addiction Treatment Center, and as an Assistant to the Bishop in the Southwestern Minnesota Synod ELCA.
Her D.Min. thesis, Telling the Old, Old Stories: Reconnecting with Jesus’ Parables Through Biblical Storytelling, is one of her most noteworthy accomplishments.
In her retirement, Skoglund enjoys having extra time to spend with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She is currently improving her cookie decorating skills.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in this on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all Faith+Lead’s on-demand courses, plus more with a Faith+Lead Membership.
Enroll in this on-demand course
$55
One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access to 40+ on-demand courses
- Access every live and recorded workshop
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Access this on-demand course
$0*
*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.99 per month
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access all leaders guides for group study
- Access all course workbooks for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!