In Preaching Articles: "Congregation"

Start With A Bang! Open Your Sermon Strong

By Tyler Scarlett on Nov 20, 2024

A preacher's worst fear is that the congregation will stop listening. What's far more dreadful is if the people never were listening in the first place.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

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Leading From Fear: So Many Churches Do It

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 22, 2021

It’s so easy for a preacher to exhibit fear and not faith when standing before the church and calling the congregation to faithfulness and righteousness.

Scripture: Mark 4:40, Luke 14:7-14

Tags: Faith, leadership, Faith and Fear, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How Long Should I Preach

By Brian Croft on Aug 21, 2023

The answer to this question largely depends on the kind of pastor you are, the quality of preacher you are, and the kind of congregation you serve.

Tags: Preaching, sermon prep, good sermon, poor preaching, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Raises The Water Level

By Ray Hollenbach on Apr 29, 2025

Faithful preaching often works slowly. One sermon at a time, pastors nourish long-term growth that shapes congregations over the years.

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:14, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 5:12-14, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 20, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

4 Points Of Principle Preaching

By Chris Surber on Nov 11, 2025

"Can I call her up to the front on Sunday morning, have her sit in front of the congregation and use her sin as an example?”

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-2

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Preaching To Inspire True Generosity

By Matt O’reilly on Nov 18, 2021

What if preachers and their congregations actually looked forward to the stewardship series instead of dreading it? Matt O'Reilly believes it can be done.

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Tags: Preaching, preaching

6 Benefits To Not Changing Churches

By Dean Shriver on Jul 9, 2021

Staying with one congregation models commitment, grows maturity, deepens preaching, builds trust, reveals generational fruit, and prepares pastors for final accountability.

Scripture: Colossians 3:13-14, Colossians 3:13, John 10:11-13, James 1:2-4, Hebrews 13:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Church, mistakes, affliction, Leave, ministry, church  (view more)  (view less)

Overcoming Blind Spots In The Pulpit

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 21, 2020

Every preacher gravitates toward familiar themes. Identifying and addressing pulpit blind spots helps congregations grow into spiritual maturity and biblical balance.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 4:13-15, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Growth, Pastoral Ministry

From Information To Transformation: Preaching That Changes Lives

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 15, 2020

Great preaching goes beyond inspiration and information. Transformative sermons call both preacher and congregation into present-tense obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 Corinthians 2:4, John 16:8, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God, leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You Preach, I'll Doodle

By Thom Turner on Nov 3, 2020

Most sermons primarily serve auditory learners. Wise pastors consider visual, kinesthetic, and other intelligences so the whole congregation engages the Word.

Scripture: Romans 12:4, Nehemiah 8:8, James 1:22, Colossians 3:16, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Learning, Psychology, Effectiveness, Versatile, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Messy Truths About Your Church—and 3 Helpful Realities

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 5, 2025

"I was taught never to wrestle with difficult truths in front of the congregation. Give them simple three-point, alliterated answers to life’s problems."

Tags: Bible, Preaching, messy truth, efficient, confusing, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Sermons Also Include Listening

By Ryan Huguley on May 30, 2025

Preaching is not only about the preacher delivering the message but also about the congregation listening well. Scripture calls believers to receive the Word with prayer, humility, and expectation.

Scripture: Luke 16:17, James 1:21-22, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Great, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Stressful Sermon

By David J. Lose on Jun 28, 2021

What might our personal and congregational lives look like if we took Jesus' words more seriously at home, work, school and in our communities?

Scripture: Luke 18:31-34, Proverbs 17:1-5

Tags: stress, Preaching, Stress

11 Signs Your Church Is Going Extinct

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 12, 2025

Unless you’re in a free fall right now, it can be hard to know whether your congregation will thrive, survive or take a dive in the next decade.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Tags: Church, Preaching, preaching, church