In Preaching Articles: "Local Church Leadership"

8 Questions To Ask Before You Preach A Sermon

By Josh Reich on Oct 17, 2022

8 questions to ask as you prepare to preach your next sermon.

Tags: preaching, teaching, Preaching Help, pastoral leadership, preaching the Word, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching, Teaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Issues That Could Silence Your Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 8, 2020

We like to think we're beyond outside influence, but there are hot-buttons in every church that could take away your pulpit voice.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 23, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: spiritual health, preaching, believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation  (view more)  (view less)

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols

By Chris Surber on Nov 15, 2024

Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

Scripture: Leviticus 26:30

Tags: Preaching, destroy, Discussion, modern idols, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Forget Seminaries: What Are You Doing To Train The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Chris Surber on Aug 16, 2025

We have a lot of people genuinely called, sincerely gifted people who struggle to find their way past the gatekeepers in our churches and denominations.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Mark 5:24-34

Tags: Discipleship, Gift, Seminary, Next Generation

How Pastors And Parents Can Help Children Benefit From The Sermon

By Erik Raymond on Oct 14, 2025

Erik Raymond suggests some things he has done as both dad and pastor to help kids hear and understand the message in “big church.”

Tags: Forgiveness, Preaching, preaching

8 Easy Ways To Plan Now For New Vbs Families To Stick

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 8, 2021

In my experience, churches put on a stellar VBS and just hope that the fourth goal of retaining new families from the community will take care of itself.

Tags: Unchurched, VBS, families, relational leaders, Outreach  (view more)  (view less)

Faith That Changed The Culture How Luther Inspired Music, Charity, And Abolition

By Michael Reeves on Oct 18, 2022

Through the Reformation, a tidal wave of social and cultural improvement was unleashed.

Tags: give generously, Philanthropy, culture, God's Grace, Christian Joy, Reformation, Church History, Freedom in Christ, justified by faith, Music, Culture, Slavery  (view more)  (view less)

Four Things To Consider After The Police Shootings

By Lisa Robinson on Apr 2, 2024

Lisa is a member of Town North Presbyterian Church (PCA) and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. She is also a non-profit professional, anti-poverty advocate, and writer at theothoughts.comLisa is a member of Town North Presbyterian Church (PCA) and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. She is also a non-profit professional, anti-poverty advocate, and writer at theothoughts.com

Tags: experience, Christian Love, facts vs truth

5 Must-Know Facts About First-Time Visitors

By Rick Ezell on Nov 3, 2021

Most guests decide whether they’ll return within minutes. Churches that prioritize hospitality, friendliness, and clear navigation create the best chance for impact.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Luke 15:20-24

Tags: Grace, guest, Celebrate, Hospitality, Visitors, grace  (view more)  (view less)

10 Sacred Cows That Need To Be Tipped

By Jared Moore on Sep 7, 2024

Contemporary sacred cows are no more helpful than traditional sacred cows. Here's one preacher's view on the sacred cows that need tipped in the church today.

Scripture: John 21:20-22

Tags: Preaching, Method, preaching

Are You An Itinerant Pastor?

By Nathan Rouse on Sep 26, 2020

This addiction to "new" is breaking churches and ruining the credibility of those that minister in the pulpit. We need pastors that won't leave; we need pastors that will cleave.

Tags: pulpit, Itinerant, Attrition, Preaching

True Story: The Guinness Record For The World's Longest Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 11, 2019

Pastor Zach Zehnder of Cross Church began his quest on Friday, November 7, and by Sunday had preached for 53 hours and 18 minutes—Why?

Scripture: Lamentations 3:23

Tags: Preaching

Why Every Sermon Should Be A Life-Changing Sermon

By Paul David Tripp on Oct 20, 2025

This will probably get me into trouble: I’m persuaded that there’s too much mediocrity in the church when it comes to pastors preparing and delivering their sermons.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Shepherd Your Flock In A Politically Charged World

By Trevin Wax on Jun 1, 2022

Everything gets politicized these days. It’s never been easier for churches to also get caught up in waves of political enthusiasm and social activism.

Tags: Gospel, Politics, Religion, Activism, gospel  (view more)  (view less)