Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, joins the podcast for a deeply practical conversation on preaching, pastoral formation, and life in the Word.
Drawing from his background in the Air Force, parish ministry, and national broadcast preaching, Michael walks through his sermon preparation process: internalizing Scripture, memorizing passages, using walking, storyboards, and repetition to move from words on a page to preaching from the heart. He explains why memorization alone isn’t enough, how Scripture must be internalized, and why repetition forms both memory and faith.
The conversation also explores what preaching into a microphone has taught him about clarity, imagination, and connection, how studio preaching differs from preaching to a live congregation, and why Lutheran Hour Ministries continues to focus on gospel proclamation for people both inside and far from the Church.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Art of Leadership Academy. This community, formed by Carey Nieuwhof, is designed to help church leaders break the barriers that they are facing.
Every year, Carey unveils his annual Church Trends. This year, I’m working with Carey to unpack each of these trends and what they mean for discipleship.
Join me for FREE inside of his academy Wednesday’s at Noon CT each of the next 6 weeks as we look at each one of the 7 trends. I hope I see you inside the Academy.
Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org
The Lutheran Hour (radio program): https://www.lhm.org/programs/the-lutheran-hour
Michael Zeigler – Speaker Profile: https://www.lhm.org/bible-study-author/rev-dr-michael-zeigler/
Find Local Lutheran Hour Broadcasts: https://www.lhm.org/listen
Subscribe to The Lutheran Hour Podcast: https://www.lhm.org/podcasts
“It’s certainly not a photographic memory. It’s more like a dog-on-a-bone way of focusing on things.”
“Once you get it memorized, you’ve got to say it out loud about a hundred more times before you’ve got it internalized.”
“You should think of the studio recording like you’re in the front seat of a car and you’re talking to somebody in the back seat that you can’t see.”
“That’s the power of the audio-only medium. The listener gets the sense that you’re talking to them as an individual.”
“You remember what you repeat. That’s the bottom line.”
“I don’t want to preach by rote or from the hip, but from the heart.”
Repeat a passage of Scripture or a hymn this week out loud and often, trusting that repetition will help God’s Word take root in your heart.
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