Churchill stands as the ideal. We study his speeches as prime examples of how it is done. Anyone assigned to motivate people with words can benefit from studying this one who overcame great obstacles in his life to learn how to speak, then devoted a lifetime to perfecting his craft. In Churchill, we have one who knew the value of the spoken word, who knew how to prepare a message, who knew precisely what he was doing at the lectern or in front of a microphone, and who chose each word, formed each sentence, for its desired effect.

One thing Churchill did not do, however, was leave the closing of a message to chance. Even what seemed spontaneous was the result of planning. A friend teased, "Winston has spent the best years of his life writing impromptu speeches."

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Of the three methods for crafting effective conclusions, we observe that Churchill's favorite was to focus on his hearers. He inserted himself into their place, knew their fears and questions and pride in their heritage, then used all these to rally their highest ideals and awaken their courage.

When I began this little exercise before my computer, the obvious question confronting me was how I would conclude. After all, a preacher advising other preachers on improving their art must demonstrate he has a grasp of the subject.

I have three choices.

I can tell a story. Perhaps I should tell of hearing the inimitable Calvin Miller compare sermonizing to flying a plane. The introduction is taxiing down the runway for takeoff and climbing. As the sermon progresses, we make our journey across the landscape to our destination. Finally comes the descent and landing, and the final stop at the gate. Just as some sermons never get off the ground, and some have trouble knowing where they are going, others keep circling the airport unable to land. I fear I have preached every one of these sermons.

I can come full circle. We can return to the football metaphor and talk about bursting through red zones and scoring. We could point out that this after all is the object of the game, and that the number of yards a team amasses, the ratio of passing attempts to completions, and a thousand other statistics are just so much window dressing if the team does not win. It's all about winning.

I can focus on the hearers. Or in this case, the readers. Those who read this article, who subscribe to this magazine, are preachers saddled with the burden and honored with the privilege of finding and building and delivering sermons week after week, year after year. I think I'll choose this conclusion.

Pastor, the next time you prepare a sermon, try this. Lay out your sermon on paper, complete with main points and illustrations, and study it closely. Decide first how to introduce your message. Then, move to the end and pick up that theme again. Tie the points of your message together into a single, simple statement concerning God's power in the world, His plan for the kingdom, or His will for His people.

Then, reflect on whether something has happened in your life that would be an apt illustration of that truth. It may be something you have read, a story you heard, a quote you have saved.

Remember this is no time to introduce new thoughts, new Scriptures, new mandates. All you are doing is bringing it home across the finish line. Like you promised them at first.

Joe McKeever is Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans (LA). His cartoons frequently appear in Preaching.