In Preaching Articles: "Know Your Audience"

How Leadership Capacity Affects The Growth And Health Of A Church

By Josh Reich on Oct 4, 2023

Now, we all know that God is the one who grows a church, but often that church is healthy and growing because of the character, quality and capacity of the lead pastor and leaders.

Tags: leadership, Discipline, leadership capacity, coaching, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

3 Building Blocks Of A Truly Memorable Sermon

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 25, 2023

Help your listeners connect with your preaching points--and their purpose!

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Tags: Preaching, Building Blocks, memorable sermon, strong points, illustrate, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

2 Things Every Pastor Should Do Before Preaching On Marriage

By Josh Reich on Oct 8, 2025

It's hard to do but incredibly helpful to your church. Your marriage is unique because of who you are and who your wife is.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

9 Ways Clarity Benefits Leaders

By Charles Stone on May 24, 2023

How would you rank your clarity in your ministry? Here are nine benefits of being clear as you lead your church.

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

Pastoring From A Place Of Gratitude

By Lance Witt on May 28, 2024

Does gratitude flavor your life? Are the words that flow from your lips and the thoughts that race through your mind marked by gratitude?

Scripture: Psalm 118:24, Colossians 2:7

Tags: leadership, Thankfulness, gratitude, Grumbling, Ingratitude, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Evaluate attitude, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preach A Funeral Like You'll Never Be Invited Back

By Chris Surber on Jul 13, 2025

A crowd of non-churchgoers just gathered in a church. Call me crazy. I don't know much. But perhaps you should tell them about Jesus?

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Funeral, preaching

Shut Down The Bus Tours: What Older Members Should Really Be Doing

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 8, 2023

What if this one generation actually just sacrificed for the sake of another? What if they gave up their preferences in music, style and taste so that others could come to know Christ?

Tags: God's family, Life Mission, mission, Intergenerational

10 Tips Every Rookie Preacher Should Hear

By Peter Mead on Sep 22, 2025

Sage advice we all wish we had heard when we were just starting out. Do you know a young preacher who might benefit?

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Tags: Preaching, rookie, glory thief, discriminate, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Reasons Churches Should Partner With Secular Community Groups

By Karl Vaters on May 4, 2022

How can we reach our communities if they have no idea we love them? And how will they know we love them if we don’t work alongside them?

Tags: Service, Humility, Culture, community outreach, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Oct 24, 2019

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem.

Scripture: Micah 7:1-15

Tags: Grace, Truth, Preaching, communicate, tone  (view more)  (view less)

Your 7-Step Survival Guide To Preaching Multiple Services

By Lane Sebring on Dec 5, 2019

These practices will help you make sure you preach your best at every service, every Sunday.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Tags: Preaching, helps

Eight Ideas For Reaping The Fruit Of Your Vacation Bible School

By Hal Seed on Jul 7, 2024

Learn how to move beyond counting VBS attendance to measuring true fruit by building relationships, following up well, and enfolding unchurched families into the life of your church.

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Children, Outreach, family, VBS, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Why Some People Aren’t Happy With Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Feb 27, 2025

Many pastors are blindsided when members quietly express frustration with their preaching. The reasons vary widely, ranging from communication issues to personality friction to the discomfort of genuine conviction. Preachers can respond well, shepherd wisely, and preach faithfully for the glory of Christ.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, James 3:1, Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Criticism, church leadership, criticism, Sermon Preparation, communication, preaching, sermon preparation, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Check Your Church's Outreach Heartbeat: Recovering A Passion For Outreach

By Kevin Harney on Mar 16, 2025

Every church shows a spiritual heartbeat. From flatline to rapid pulse, God desires a heart renewed by His love so that evangelism flows naturally and organically.

Scripture: Revelation 2:1

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Growth, Church Health, Spiritual Renewal, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Half-Bake Your Sermon: Part 1

By Peter Mead on Aug 12, 2024

Many sermons feel flat because the text is only half-used. These common mistakes show how preachers drift from Scripture and how to return to full, faithful exposition.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Acts 17:2-3, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, Text, preparation, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)