In Preaching Articles: "People Over Programs"

What It Really Means To Preach Grace

By Dr. Richard Ganz on May 3, 2025

Winning arguments is not the same as winning hearts. This reflection reminds preachers that truth without grace can push people further from Christ.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1, John 1:14, Matthew 11:28, 2 Timothy 2:25, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Scripture, Arrogance, Share, unbeliever, evangelism, Unbeliever  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Funeral For God's Glory

By Harry Reeder on Jun 21, 2025

Funerals confront people with eternity. Pastors must preach Christ clearly, offering true comfort to believers’ families and calling unbelievers to salvation.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15, John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 2 Corinthians 5:8

Tags: Funeral, privilege, preach, preaching, Hope, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Beyond Politics

By Shane Grant on Sep 9, 2021

Biblical preaching does not seek to influence the modern world but wants to move people to a different world, a world that is unavailable to them without preaching.

Tags: modern world, Preaching, Influence, Political, Biblical  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Need To Seriously Reconsider The Idea Behind The Altar Call

By Jeff K. Clarke on Sep 15, 2025

We are so desperate to have people make a decision that we rarely, if ever, tell them about the costs associated with making that decision.

Tags: costs, preaching, Discipleship, Preaching, converts, altar call  (view more)  (view less)

Sharpen Your Sermon With A God-Centered Checklist

By Jared Moore on Sep 19, 2025

If you want to help your people focus on God when they leave church tomorrow, here are 11 things that you cannot do.

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Tags: preaching, God centered, God Centered, Preaching, Checklist, joke, Sharpen  (view more)  (view less)

A Word From A 2700 Year Old Pastor

By Lance Witt on Apr 16, 2021

Pastors listen to other pastors. We listen to other people in ministry who are down in the trenches doing the hard work of leading others.

Scripture: Jeremiah 6:16

Tags:

Six Terrible Ways To Recruit Ministry Volunteers In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 28, 2021

Sometimes I think church leaders take the most negative approaches in an attempt to encourage more people to get involved in ministry in the church.

Tags: Prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Lay Leadership, Recruiting

How To Stay Healthy While Pastoring An Unhealthy Church

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 31, 2021

Hurting churches hurt people. Including pastors who try to help them. Here are 9 principles to help you stay strong.

Tags: Sabbath, Boundaries, pastoral leadership, Broken Church

Building A Preaching Team – Part Ii: Calendars, Rhythms And Getting Everyone On The Same Page

By Ross Lester on May 14, 2024

Many people are intrigued but leery of using a preaching team approach. This article aims to provide some practical answers to the obstacles involved in the process.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, church ministry, Preaching Team, Ministry help, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Weaving Gospel Fluency Into Every Sunday Message

By Jeff Vanderstelt on Nov 21, 2022

If we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

Scripture: Luke 24:44-45

Tags: Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel, preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Include These 3 Vital Elements When You Preach A Funeral?

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 19, 2019

Practical advice: "Don't preach them into heaven. Don't preach them into hell. Just preach the gospel for the people who are there."

Tags: advice, Respond, elements, preaching, Preaching, Funeral  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 6, 2025

Pastors must navigate public tragedy with discernment, comforting emotions, anchoring people in Scripture, and knowing when to speak and when to wait for true clarity.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, Difficulties, disaster, media, Biblical wisdom, sermon preparation, Pastoral Leadership, Crisis Preaching, Cultural Discernment, Biblical Wisdom, pastoral leadership, Trials, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, culture  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ingredients Of A Home Run Sermon

By Rick Ezell on Feb 7, 2025

A home run sermon consistently delivers biblical substance, clarity, interest, and relevance. These four essential ingredients help preachers connect with real people.

Scripture: Mark 6:12

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preparation, Religion, Relevance, pastoral leadership, practical ministry, preaching, teaching, Pastoral Leadership, Practical Ministry, Preaching Skills  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Know Someone Is Leaving Your Church

By Brian Dodd on May 11, 2020

Churches lose people, but wise leaders spot warning signs early. This guide outlines practical indicators that someone is drifting and how to reconnect proactively.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Galatians 6:1-2, Acts 20:28

Tags: shepherding, Shepherding

Embrace The 5 Types Of Church Visitor

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 7, 2020

Not all church visitors come for the same reasons. Understanding why people visit can help churches respond wisely and increase the likelihood they return.

Scripture: Romans 15:7, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: guest, Hospitality, Pastoral Ministry