In Preaching Articles: "Main Idea"

Why *preaching Out Of The Overflow* May Not Work

By Joe Mckeever on May 18, 2021

You know the saying, "Let go, and let God." That's a fine idea ... and sometimes not.

Tags: Preaching, audience, overflow, problem, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

H.b. Charles Remembers The Time He Shipwrecked His Sermon

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 17, 2021

It seemed like a good idea when he thought of it, but the reality in the pulpit was something very different!

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Are You Guilty Of Pastoral Plagiarism?

By James Emery White on Oct 9, 2020

Good communicators borrow material all the time. But how should you communicate your sources of ideas and inspiration?

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism

10 Differences Between Borrowing And Stealing Someone Else's Sermon

By James Emery White on Sep 26, 2021

Good communicators borrow material all the time. But how should you communicate your sources of ideas and inspiration?

Tags: Steal, Preaching, Borrow, Plagiarism, Quotes  (view more)  (view less)

Everyone Else Is Preparing For Christmas--Are You?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 18, 2025

It's not too early! Brandon Cox shares his ideas for a Christmas sermon series sure to connect with your congregation.

Tags: Christmas, Hope, Preaching, prepare, receiving, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

13 Benefits Of Putting An Expiration Date On New Ministries In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2024

Here's a great way open your church up to innovative new ideas by minimizing the risk – or at least the sting – of failure.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

6 Non Negotiable Traits You Need To Increase Your Leaderships Influence

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 28, 2023

As harsh as it sounds, here’s the truth: if a leader doesn’t buy you, they’ll rarely buy your idea.

Tags: Humility, leadership, Influence, competence, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Deadly Dangers In Shortcutting Quality Exegesis

By Peter Mead on Dec 17, 2024

Shortcuts in exegesis result in a passage idea that does not carry the true content--nor the character--of the passage on which we claim to be preaching.

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Research Is In--This Is The #1 Reason Students Leave The Church

By Dr. Kara Powell on Oct 29, 2025

Research shows that 40-50% of high school graduates leave their faith in college. Youth expert Kara Powell offers ideas on reversing the trend.

Tags:

Biblical Preaching Is More Than Quoting The Bible

By Jeff K. Clarke on Jan 6, 2026

Not all ideas in the Bible are biblical. Discover how reading Scripture through the lens of Jesus helps us rightly interpret God’s redemptive story.

Tags: hermeneutics, biblical theology, Bible interpretation, Bible Interpretation, Christ Centered Reading, Biblical Theology, Hermeneutics, Narrative Theology  (view more)  (view less)

Three Foundational Passages For Growing Disciples Of Jesus

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 16, 2025

"Try to imagine talking about your subject every single day for two years. If the idea still thrills you, you've found your topic."

Tags: Jesus, Gospel, Growth, Discipleship, Disciples, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

How To Recruit And Keep The Best Volunteers

By Josh Reich on Jan 25, 2022

The idea of recruiting volunteers is overwhelming and difficult at times. There never seems to be enough people, and the ones who are serving are often tired and feel like they are the only ones serving.

Tags: Communication, Lay Leadership, ministry vision, Recruiting, communication  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do With Information Overload

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 24, 2022

"One struggle I’ve witnessed consistently with leaders – including this one – is we drown in information overload. There are more good ideas than we can ever implement."

Tags: Technology, leadership, organization, effective, productivity, pastoral leadership, leadership capacity, good leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

6 Ways Pastors Can Help People Deal With Doubts

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 11, 2020

It seems like doubt is a popular subject these days, but doubt comes with a price. Here are six ideas that could help any pastor when asked to speak about the subject of doubt.

Scripture: John 20:24-31, Jeremiah 29:13, Mark 9:24, Acts 9:1-9

Tags: Faith, doubt, Belief, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation  (view more)  (view less)

In Recruiting, Don’t Say No For Someone

By Josh Reich on Feb 26, 2021

What happens then is the leader says no for the person without giving them a chance to say yes or no. Would that person say no? I have no idea and neither do you.

Tags: Preaching, Recruiting