In Preaching Articles: "Joe Mckeever"

How To Avoid The Dangers Of Topical Preaching

By Joe Hoagland on Nov 10, 2025

Preaching purists debate the merits--and dangers--of either topical or expository preaching. Both have weak spots.

Tags: preaching, Preaching

Does Your Sermon Outline Serve You Or Do You Serve It?

By Joe Hoagland on Jan 19, 2026

Think you don’t need a sermon outline? Discover why using one can sharpen your message, increase clarity, and enhance your connection with the congregation.

Tags: Sermon Outline, Preaching Structure, sermon prep, Sermon outline, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching Tips, Preaching, preaching tips  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The 'shoulds' And Not 'the Shouldn'ts'

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 8, 2026

Jesus is not just about getting rid of a bunch of behaviors but it is also about living out positive actions inspired by the grace and love of Jesus.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

3 Ways To Improve Your Preaching Today!

By Joe Hoagland on Dec 5, 2021

There are some steps we can take as communicators, today, to make lasting change. As I look at improving multiple things in my life I look for the building blocks I can use to achieve success right away as well as into the future.

Tags: Preaching, Introduction, conclusion, sermon prep, Praying, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Improvisation And The Art Of Preaching

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 19, 2021

When it comes to the art of preaching improvisation can play a big role, just like in music. Here at Rookie Preacher we advocate for a tight, well put together structure. But, that doesn’t mean you need to have every word memorized.

Tags: Preaching, Preacher, sermon, Sermon, preaching, preacher  (view more)  (view less)

3 Positive Ways To Respond To Negative Criticism

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 25, 2021

Some criticism is unequivocally bad criticism. It is destructive, not based 100% in truth, and is based in bad intentions. Prepare yourself for this kind of criticism.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, criticism, preaching

Promote Jesus: Not Personality, Professionalism, Or Brand

By Joe Hoagland on Jan 17, 2022

The church can learn a lot from worldly business and marketing trends but many times churches and church leaders end up promoting the wrong thing.

Tags: Jesus, focus on GOD, Pastoral Character, church marketing

Preacher: Know The "Other Side" Well

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 19, 2023

Pretty much everything you preach on has at least one challenge to it, not even just from culture but also from within Christian theology.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Culture, Theology, communication, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

6 Things Millennials Need From Pastors

By Joe Hoagland on Mar 25, 2022

What I always try to get across is there is no magic bullet to reach millennials.

Tags: Culture, authentic ministry, future generations, millennials, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Do Not Forsake True Solitude, Pastor

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 10, 2022

I am talking about purposely removing yourself from the busyness to focus on prayer for your congregation, reflection on your spiritual life and those around you, and meditation on the huge weight that is the pastoral ministry.

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Tags: Prayer Life, Solitude, Silence, Leadership General, prayer life  (view more)  (view less)

One Major Thing You Can Do To Improve Your Worship Service

By Joe Hoagland on Apr 8, 2022

What if I told you there is one main thing you can improve to make people want to come back time and time again.

Tags: Preaching, illustration, Time of Reflection, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ.

By Joe Thorn on Jul 11, 2022

One danger is emotionalism, in which we allow our feelings to interpret our circumstances and form our thoughts about God. This is putting feelings before faith. The other danger is a kind of stoicism, where faith is rooted in theology but void of affection. This tendency removes feelings from faith altogether. While it is true that our emotions should not lead our theology, it is vital to our faith that theology lead to a deep experience of our triune God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:15, Psalm 34:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Theology, Stoicism, Feelings, Doctrine to Doxology  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Collaborate In Sermon Preparation

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 4, 2022

Have you ever considered how you might collaborate in sermon prep?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, working together, collaboration, Teaching Prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching God’s Word Is Timeless (Find The Timeless Truth)

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 24, 2022

The Bible is wholly relevant to the modern person’s life sometimes it just takes some work for us to figure that out. The idea of making a “timeless truth” central to your sermon is important in communicating God’s Word in a postmodern age.

Tags: Scripture, Communication, Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching, communication, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Good Preaching Is As Important As Ever

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 27, 2022

People love to tell you that preaching is irrelevant in this day and age. But contrary to this kind of thinking, good preaching does remain important. In fact, preaching remains as important as it has ever been.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, faithful preaching, Value of Preaching, Modern Age, Busy Culture, Shepherd the Flock, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)