In Preaching Articles: "Martin Luther King Jr"

Without Accountability, Confession And Friendship, ‘we’re Going To End Up Out Of Ministry’

By Michael Duduit on Jan 28, 2022

My friend Clayton King, who has never served as a senior pastor (and had not expected to), suddenly found himself leading one of the nation’s largest congregations as interim pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina.

Scripture: James 5:16

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Isolation, Leadership General, pastoral leadership

Pastors Lead By Example

By Philip Holmes on May 4, 2021

“The reason elders are so necessary,” says Sanchez, “is because they are the means by which our sovereign king chooses to shepherd his church to display his kingdom on earth in local churches as embassies of heaven, and also to proclaim the message of the gospel, calling all people everywhere to repent and believe and enter into the kingdom. Elders shepherd the flock of God among them, under the chief Shepherd. That’s why elders are important, because it is our ascended Lord’s chosen means by which he shepherds his church.”

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1-2, Ephesians 4:1-32, Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teamwork, elders, authentic ministry, church leadership, e  (view more)  (view less)

10 Tips For Better Preaching Pt.1

By Jim Martin on Apr 13, 2020

Faithful week-in, week-out preaching depends less on clever ideas and more on habits of love, clarity, restraint, identification, and genuine passion. These ten simple practices help preachers serve their congregations with messages that are understood, valued, and taken to heart.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8, 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Peter 5:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Homiletics, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Tips For Better Preaching Pt. 2

By Jim Martin on Apr 14, 2020

Five habits that help preachers build trust, speak clearly, treat people fairly, guard credibility, and carry the pulpit with humility and wisdom.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:17, 1 Timothy 4:12, Titus 2:7-8, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Proverbs 15:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Teaching, Preaching, Ambition, style, communication, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Faith Often Lives In The Tension

By Jonathan Martin on May 17, 2021

The Bible presents a world filled with complexity, flawed people, and unresolved tensions. Learning to live faithfully within that tension can deepen our understanding of God’s grace.

Scripture: Psalm 103:10-14, Romans 5:8, John 8:10-11, Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Jesus Christ, Certain, ambiguity, christian living, grace, Christian Living  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Pace Before I Preach

By Walter Wangerin Jr. on May 1, 2020

Preaching demands the whole person, and fear often accompanies love for God and His people. Pacing, trembling, and praying become part of delivering a faithful message.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:3, Jeremiah 20:9, Exodus 4:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:7, James 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Preaching, pulpit, preparation, preaching, Pastoral Life, Pulpit  (view more)  (view less)

Re-Imagining Leadership

By Dan White Jr. on Oct 3, 2024

What does it really mean to grow in Christian leadership?

Tags: leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership

Start Strong: The Discipline Of The Sermon Introduction

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 10, 2025

The sermon introduction sets direction, tone, and trust. A strong beginning clarifies the text, states the point, and prepares the congregation to listen carefully.

Scripture: John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:1-12, Matthew 5:44-45

Tags: Love, Emotions, Preaching, Introduction, Faithful, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

How To Be An Awesome Guest Preacher

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 18, 2020

Guest preaching is not self-promotion but stewardship. Faithfulness, humility, and respect determine whether you are welcomed again.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6

Tags: guest, Preaching, Courtesy, participate, Expectation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Avoid Indecent Exposure In The Pulpit

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 14, 2025

Sermon illustrations can clarify truth or distract from it. Here are ten principles to help preachers use personal stories with wisdom and restraint.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5, Proverbs 11:13, James 3:1, Ephesians 4:29, 1 Corinthians 10:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Modesty, Exposure, preaching, Pulpit, Sermon Illustrations  (view more)  (view less)

Pulpit Plagiarism: How Preachers Can Use Sources Without Stealing

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Dec 8, 2020

Faithful preaching often leads pastors to similar conclusions from Scripture. But using sources wisely differs greatly from plagiarizing another preacher’s sermon.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Exodus 20:15, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, work, Plagiarism, original, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Are Your Sermon Illustrations Really Indecent Exposure? 10 Critical Checkpoints

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 13, 2024

Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage.

Scripture: Amos 5:4-15

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How Can The Pew Help The Pulpit?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Mar 7, 2024

Good preaching is a partnership between pastor and congregation, pulpit and pew, the one who preaches and the one who listens.

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Congregation, Encourage, Partnership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Excellent Reasons To Develop A Preaching Calendar And 3 Ways To Start

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 11, 2021

The fact that God knows our story--individually and corporately, from beginning to end--means we need not specialize in "Saturday night specials."

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, corporate worship, preaching calendar, talk to team, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things Every Pastor Should Have In Check Before Sunday

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Oct 27, 2025

We may pray that God would hide us behind the cross as we preach. But there is no place to hide in the pulpit.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Tags: Preaching, preaching