In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Communication"

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, Preaching, pastor, Commentary  (view more)  (view less)

Has Mission Become Our Idol?

By Skye Jethani on Jul 29, 2024

Skye Jethani: "While a vision for serving God is needed, and the desperate condition of our world cannot be ignored, there is a higher calling that is going unanswered in many Christian communities."

Scripture: Psalm 62:1-6

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Fire, Pastor, evangelism, preaching, Evangelism, Missions  (view more)  (view less)

Start With A Bang! Crafting A Memorable Sermon Opener

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 27, 2025

If you lose your congregation at the beginning, you will have to work twice as hard to get them back by the end. Why not give your message the best possible chance to connect with people at the outset?

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Introduction, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Listen To Your Message Before You Preach It

By Mark Mohler on Apr 17, 2020

Sermons are not made for paper; they are made for people. We should listen before we preach.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, preparation, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

No Normal Sundays

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 24, 2021

Take a careful inventory, and you will find that most weeks this is the single most important hour of the week — and yet we are so prone to squander such a rich opportunity, sometimes even neglect it.

Tags: Communication, Worship, Commitment, Sunday, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Dave Stone’s 8 Principles To Great Preaching

By Brandon Kelley on Sep 10, 2022

Dave Stone’s 8 Principles to Great Preaching

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10

Tags: teaching, Sermon prep, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, effective preaching, Sermon Prep, communication, preaching, Communication, Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, Communication Speech  (view more)  (view less)

Brokenness In A Pastor’s Life

By Charles Stone on Jun 29, 2023

As I enter the sixth decade of my life and reflect over the brokenness I’ve faced as a pastor, I’m beginning to see its great value. It still hurts and I’d prefer not to face it. Yet, I’m experiencing the fruit of brokenness: inner peace, joy, and a purpose that supersedes ‘ministry success.’

Scripture: John 12:24

Tags: Healing, Rejection, brokenness, success in ministry

Grappling With The Fears Of Technological Change

By Tim Challies on Apr 16, 2023

Technologies are good in that they allow us to carry out our God-given mandate (Gen. 4). But every technology also brings risk; it brings change. Innovations subtly shift our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

Tags: Fear, Communication, Technology, Cultural Change, communication  (view more)  (view less)

You Can't Please Everyone With Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Feb 28, 2025

The challenge with criticism is to sort it through and preach for our audience of One, yet with a loving sensitivity to the many who sit and listen.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Criticism, criticism, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Shorten Your Sermon

By Peter Mead on Aug 20, 2024

It's important to think about what to include in your sermon, but it's probably just as important to carefully decide what to exclude. Learn how (and where) to trim your sermon down with these tips from Peter Mead.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Edit, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Team-Killers In Church Leadership

By Matt Steen on Jul 9, 2020

Some behaviors are like cancer to a leadership team. Are any of them part of your team?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16

Tags: Community, unity, Teamwork, team building, community  (view more)  (view less)

How Long To Preach: The Eternal Question

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 11, 2020

How long is too long? Let's just say many preachers overestimate their ability to hold an audience.

Tags: preaching, Communication, Preaching, preparation, Time, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Like Small Churches? Me Neither

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 3, 2023

The problems most people have with small churches aren’t about size, they’re about sickness. And sickness can happen in churches of any size.

Tags: Community, Preaching, Small Church, community, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Lead People-Friendly Change In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 13, 2022

I’ve been studying the art of change management lately and wanted to share a process with you that could save you a lot of grief the next time you think about a change in your church’s programs or procedures.

Tags: Communication, leadership, Change, Resilience, Leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Illustration Variation

By Peter Mead on Sep 1, 2023

Be careful that you don’t get stuck in a rut with your illustration material.

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48

Tags: Communication, Preaching, illustration, Quotes, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)