In Preaching Articles: "Guarding Your Heart"

5 Ways To Grow Your Church's Congregation

By Ricardo Hernandez on Apr 17, 2023

Dwindling church attendance is a concern faced by almost every established or newly-created church and should be strategically addressed. Here are five simple approaches that will make your church more inviting for your existing members and help attract new ones.

Tags: connect, young people, church, members, Connect, Young people, social media, community, church members, Community, Church, Church Members  (view more)  (view less)

Onramps To Connect Listeners To Your Sermons And Scripture

By Ed Stetzer on Feb 23, 2022

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

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: culture shifts, Sermon prep, sermon, Sermon Prep, Sermon, preaching, teaching, culture, Teaching, Preaching, Culture, sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things That Are Not A Badge Of Honor In Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Oct 31, 2023

There are some things I wore as badges of honor as a young leader I no longer wear as badges of honor today. What breaks my heart is I see many leaders falling into the same patterns I did.

Tags: Ministry, leadership, pastoral leadership, avoiding burnout, Leadership, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Finish Your Sermon Strong: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By Peter Mead on Jul 19, 2024

Finishing a sermon is neither easy nor natural. Peter Mead offers some observances of poor sermon endings and some hints on how to finish strong.

Scripture: John 19:28

Tags: Preaching, hermeneutics, Leadership General, preaching

You Can't Please Everyone With Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Feb 28, 2025

The challenge with criticism is to sort it through and preach for our audience of One, yet with a loving sensitivity to the many who sit and listen.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Criticism, criticism, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Make Your Church More Accessible

By Rod Arnold on Mar 14, 2025

Here are some smart, practical things you can do to connect with more people in your community and give them a chance to get to know your church.

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Church, Compassion, Preaching, Together, Church General, Evangelism How To, preaching, church, love  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways To Keep Your Evangelistic Edge In Preaching

By J. John on Apr 2, 2020

"I believe that if a preacher will take these four principles and apply them, then the Lord will honor them, and they will see people turn to Christ."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Evangelism How To

10 Ways To Know Someone Is Leaving Your Church

By Brian Dodd on May 11, 2020

Here are the warning signs that indicate a potential move toward the back door is underway.

Tags: Preaching

Six Ways To Raise Up Preachers In Your Church

By Kevin Larson on Jul 6, 2020

So you want to make the shift toward raising up more preachers from within your congregation? Here are the first steps.

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

How Wide Is The Gap Between Your Preaching And Their Hearing?

By Barry Whitlow on Jun 20, 2020

Seventy percent of Americans can no longer relate to how most churches in America preach the gospel.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Restore Passion To Your Preaching: Three Essential Steps

By Ken Davis on Aug 28, 2024

You may think it can be hidden, but when you lose your passion for the pulpit your congregation can hear the difference. Recapture the fire!

Scripture: John 12:20-30

Tags: Preaching, preaching

8 Must-Have Elements Of Your Easter Sermon

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2024

Eternities and lives hang in the balance--here's a checklist to keep you grounded for this very important sermon.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31, Luke 24:1-12

Tags: preaching, Easter, Preaching, Easter Good Friday, Easter Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Know Your Pulpit Blind Spots?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 13, 2023

Are you preaching the same thing over and over again but don't know it? Sherman Cox offers practical steps to avoid this often overlooked preaching rut.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience

By James Scott on Apr 28, 2023

"One of the greatest weaknesses we see from leadership in the church is not understanding the audience the leader is speaking to," says James Scott.

Tags: Love, Preaching, peaceful, preaching

5 Reasons People Check Out Of Your Sermons

By Patrick Holden on Sep 3, 2020

Five common mistakes any speaker can make--or learn how to avoid.

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8

Tags: Preaching, preaching