In Preaching Articles: "Practical Advice"

Crafting Strong Sermons Requires Polish

By Terry Linhart on Nov 9, 2024

Some sermon checkpoints to buff a nice luster on your work and to ensure you're responsible and faithful in the process.

Tags: revise, preaching, Preaching, practice, Organize  (view more)  (view less)

To A Young Pastor: Five Things I Wish I Had Known

By Rob Pochek on Nov 17, 2020

Young or old, we all have a list of the things we want to pass on to the next generation. Are any of these yours?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: Foolproof, Young, behavior, advice, Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

How Smart Preachers Help Propagate Dumb Ideas

By Larry Osborne on Jun 12, 2021

Smart people can believe some really dumb things. What's worse--I think I've taught some of them from the pulpit.

Tags: Preaching, advice, cliche, platitude, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The One Thing Nearly Everyone Forgets When It Comes To Hermeneutics

By Peter Mead on Nov 5, 2024

One key dimension tends to be overlooked when we talk about hermeneutics: the interpreter's heart.

Scripture: Psalm 10:1-17

Tags: Revelation, Preaching, advice, hermeneutics, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Great Sermons Flow From Strong Practices: Here Are 4 Of The Best

By Artie Davis on Jan 14, 2020

Veteran pastor Artie Davis gives a practical example of how intentionality makes a difference between a good sermon and consistently great ones.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

A Dozen Ways To Kill A Great Idea

By SermonCentral .com on May 29, 2021

From preaching topics to outreach programs, how many great ideas have fallen into these potholes?

Tags: Idea, Plan, Kill, Improve, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Have The Courage To Tear Your Sermon In Half?

By John Mcclure on Oct 29, 2024

Overcome slow starts by taking a knife to your opening!

Tags: cutting room, preaching, Preaching, advice, rehash  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Just Sit There: 8 Actions To Take When Your Church Is In A Slump

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 26, 2025

How do you define a church slump? More importantly, what do you do when it happens?

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20

Tags: advice, slump, preaching, vision, Preaching, action  (view more)  (view less)

Work Smarter, Not Harder

By Lance Witt on Jan 10, 2022

There is a story in the Bible about a very gifted and competent leader who wasn’t working smart.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27

Tags: priorities, advice, Leadership Listening, walking wisely

22 Things Learned In 42 Years Of Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 25, 2022

For those of you in the vocational ministry, let me offer some reflections on 42 years of ministry.

Scripture: Isaiah 26:12

Tags: Wisdom, leadership, advice, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preach What You Practice – Why Rehearsing Is Essential To Great Sermon Delivery

By Lane Sebring on Apr 15, 2022

I want to show you why I believe the often neglected step of rehearsing the sermon is essential to great sermon delivery.

Tags: Sermon Prep, preaching, Preaching, sermon prep, preaching skill, effective preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Joni Eareckson Tada’s Advice For When You Don’t Wake Up Feeling Happy

By Randy Alcorn on Aug 30, 2022

It’s true that we can’t make ourselves happy in God any more than a seed can make itself grow. But we’re not just seeds. We’re greenhouse farmers who can make sure the seed is planted, watered, and fertilized.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 3:6

Tags: Perseverance, happiness, Joy, Hope, Depression, Sorrow, Melancholy, Fighting for Joy, Up lift  (view more)  (view less)

Can You Defend The Faith Without Ranting?

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 18, 2025

Excellent advice from Joe McKeever: "Stand firm, preach the word, rebuke error, and be nice about it."

Tags: Preaching, advice, preach, defend the faith, ranting, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things You Should Never Say To A Small Church Pastor

By Karl Vaters on Oct 24, 2023

Don’t just get the content right. Consider how it might feel to the hurting pastors who need your help the most.

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, Leadership, leadership, advice, Small Church  (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)