In Preaching Articles: "Culture"

Communicating With Confidence When People Distrust Pastors

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 20, 2024

This article is the fifth of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: preaching, teaching, holiness, Sermon prep, Preaching, pastor, Holiness, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Sermons Also Include Listening

By Ryan Huguley on May 31, 2025

Listening is a lost art in our culture, so how should we listen to a sermon?

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Great, preaching

Why Doesn't Every Congregation Respond The Same Way?

By Peter Mead on Jun 27, 2025

Peter Mead reveals eight powerful insights into how to gauge a congregation's responsiveness.

Tags: church culture, preaching, guest, Unique, Preaching, Congregational  (view more)  (view less)

At Least 10 Things Great Churches Are For

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 20, 2021

The church has often, intentionally or not, been branded as a community of people who are angry and therefore are against everything not church-y. This is especially true when we so vocally voice our protests and gang up to boycott every business that doesn’t look conservative-Christian-friendly enough. I’ve listened to too much lately. From all sides. Some opinions I agree with and others I don’t, but what I’ve concluded is ultimately this: If I’m going to be known or listened to, I want it to be because of what I’m FOR, not what I’m against.

Tags: Grace, Community, reputation, church culture, community, grace  (view more)  (view less)

Why Successful Churches Aren’t Turning The World Upside-Down – But The Outcasts Might

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 31, 2023

Jesus was the most culture-challenging, paradigm-shifting, tradition-breaking, change agent who ever lived.

Tags: leadership, Small Church, church in society, prophetic voice, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Leadership And Church Size Dynamics

By Tim Keller on Jan 3, 2025

Tim Keller explores one of the most talked-about church issues: the relationship of size to church health and culture.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:9-11, Jeremiah 23:16, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:22, Matthew 22:29, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, Malachi 2:1-17, Isaiah 33:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, size, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching To Students? 5 Ways To Make It Work

By Adam Ramsey on Jul 29, 2019

Learn five proven preaching strategies to effectively engage and equip young people with the gospel in a post-Christian culture.

Scripture: Judges 6:12-18, Judges 6:8-11

Tags: repetitive, interactive, preaching, Preaching, Sincere, student  (view more)  (view less)

Randy Alcorn: Are You Willing To Be Hated For Speaking The Gospel Of Truth?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 13, 2022

"It's not our job to be popular. Let's represent the real Jesus, the whole Jesus, not just the culturally acceptable one."

Scripture: Mark 8:33-38

Tags: gospel of truth, preaching, Preaching, Hated

8 Lame Excuses Church Leaders Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 28, 2023

One of the best practices you can develop as a leader is to identify your excuses and eliminate them. Start thinking and talking a different game.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, church culture, Explanation, Rules, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Reasons Why Pastors Must Be More Courageous Today

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 20, 2019

Thom Rainer believes we are in the midst of a cultural shift--and it's no time to shrink back from our calling.

Tags: Preaching

6 Foundations For Preaching About Hell

By Josh Reich on Sep 5, 2019

Hell is in the Bible. Death, the afterlife, heaven, hell, are all questions our culture wrestles with. People wonder about it.

Scripture: Judges 1:1-30

Tags: Preaching

Leading In Times Of Uncertainty

By Lance Witt on Aug 31, 2023

Frustration and anger are pervasive throughout our culture. Underlying the anger and emotion is a deep fear. These are uncertain times and people feel it.

Tags: lead, Communication General, faith in uncertainty, Intimacy With God

Preaching On Hot Topics? 9 Outstanding Helps

By Lane Sebring on Mar 18, 2023

You want to help your people see how biblical truth intersects with every aspect of their lives. But the more controversial the topic the more important it is to handle it with care.

Scripture: Genesis 2:16-25

Tags: religious objections, thorough, cultural perspective, preaching, Hot Topics, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Bold Preaching: The Surprising Connection Between Amos And Us

By Nathan Aaseng on Jul 25, 2019

This article challenges preachers to reflect on whether they resemble Amos or the court prophets, and urges courage in proclaiming hard truths from God’s Word.

Tags: Preaching, Prophetic Preaching, preaching, Church and Culture, Courage in Ministry, Preaching Challenges  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 12, 2020

Whether you’re looking back at Plato or Jesus, virtually every culture has had great communicators who realized the power of attention-grabbing hooks.

Tags: flowers, preaching, anxiety, Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field  (view more)  (view less)