I've heard it said that the goal of speeches is either to inform, persuade, or entertain. Generally, I think this is rubbish.

About 9 months ago, my wife's sister suddenly passed away because of a preventable illness. This morning, my four year old climbed into bed with me, as she always does, and asked something's she's asked before, but not for months

"When is Auntie Alice coming back?"

Every so often, because of my job, someone will ask me if I can write their sermon for them. Not often, but every now and again. Sometimes these people are joking, sometimes they aren't, but it shows you that there's still a lot of uncertainty about what a sermon actually *is*

"Preach with passion and preach with pathos. There are broken-hearted people sitting in front of you and sometimes you would never know it. Bring them to a tender-hearted Saviour."

- Alun McNabb