In Preaching Articles: "Know Your Audience"

Could A 10-Minute Sermon Work?

By Ed Cyzewski on Feb 13, 2020

It's not about length, is it? "I want my pastors to know they can preach for 10 or 60 minutes."

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20:10-15

Tags: Preaching, short, length, preaching

The Final Piece Of Sermon Prep: What To Cut, What To Add

By Peter Mead on Aug 22, 2025

Rookie preachers wonder how they will fill the time. Experienced preachers know the real challenge is in what to leave out.

Scripture: Exodus 6:1-9

Tags: preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, Balance, information, sermon prep, selective, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

3 Simple Steps To Reproduce Church Leadership

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 30, 2022

In every church I’ve been in, people want to reproduce leaders, but few think they know how.

Tags: Discipleship, multiply, church leadership, Empowered Leaders

Church Growth And The Work Of God

By Josh Reich on Oct 6, 2023

We know that God is the one who makes a church grow, that it isn’t on us. This is both a comfort and a problem.

Tags: communication, Communication, vision, Discipleship, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Matt Chandler's Advice To Young Preachers

By Matt Chandler on Jun 17, 2023

"If you can't feel the text, I don't know if you've been called to preach."

Tags: Grace, Preaching, Engage, moment, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Fear In The Pulpit: Does It Have A Proper Place?

By Leslie Holmes on Aug 4, 2025

"Really smart preachers who know who they are, whose they are and who called them demonstrate that by a healthy dose of fear."

Tags: preaching, Fear, Preaching, pulpit, preach  (view more)  (view less)

Five Reasons I Preach—why Do You Preach?

By David Padfield on Sep 13, 2019

People today have very little respect for preaching—maybe it's because they don't know the purpose of preaching.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Tags: Purpose, Respect, Sermon on the Mount, Preaching

So You Waited Until The Last Minute To Start Sermon Prep

By Peter Mead on Mar 6, 2023

When I genuinely have had to prepare at the last minute, then I ask God for help and know that He understands.

Tags: Excuses, sermon prep, last minute, Sermon Prep, preaching, Preaching, preparation  (view more)  (view less)

One Dozen Liberating Life Lessons That Give Pastors Rest For Their Souls

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 28, 2019

We are loaded down with so many "shoulds," we find ourselves paralyzed by the inability to apply what we know.

Tags: Rest, Soul, Preaching, life lessons

7 Markers Of A Great Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 26, 2023

There are some characteristics which set a great leader apart from mediocre leaders. Do you know what they are?

Tags: Humility, leadership, Integrity, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

3 Important Reasons Why You Should Preach On Thanksgiving A Month Early

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 17, 2025

Everyone knows they're supposed to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day, but the heart-attitude won't kick in by magic; it has to be cultivated.

Scripture: Mark 6:45-52

Tags: gratitude, holiday stress, preaching, Thanksgiving, Preaching, Thankfulness  (view more)  (view less)

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 11, 2025

Decades of research reveal five church-growth principles—disciple-making, relationships, felt-needs, transitions, and social networks—that help any church engage its community.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Leadership, Congregational Health  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching Too Deep Or Too Shallow?

By Craig Groeschel on Feb 5, 2025

Craig Groeschel discusses the challenge of preaching with simplicity, practicality, and relevance while remaining spiritual enough to change lives.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:13

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, deep, Prep, Leadership General, e, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Personal Changes To Empower Your Preaching

By Rick Ezell on Feb 11, 2025

When you preach, in many respects, you are the message. If your personal life is not congruent with your words, then a mixed message is delivered.

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

Tags: Faith, Preaching, Prayer, Personal Change, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What's Your Preaching Strategy: Shotgun Or Sniper?

By Peter Mead on Mar 14, 2020

It is too easy to drift into another passage (or ten) and dissipate the impact of the passage we said we would preach.

Scripture: Ephesians 2:1

Tags: Preaching, comprehension, preaching