In Preaching Articles: "Practical Advice"

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)

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: Preaching, advice, rehash, cutting room, preaching  (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: vision, Preaching, action, advice, slump, preaching  (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: Preaching, sermon prep, preaching skill, effective preaching, Sermon Prep, 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: leadership, advice, Small Church, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (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)

3 Spiritual Lessons From Jonathan Edwards

By Kyle Strobel on Jun 7, 2025

If they were important to Jonathan Edwards, they should be important to you!

Tags: Preaching, practice, carnal vs spiritual, jonathan edwards, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Sermon Again Without Preaching It The Same

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 17, 2024

Repeated sermons should grow richer with time. With prayerful revision, fresh insight, and renewed engagement, a pastor can preach familiar material with greater depth.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, Church Practices, Pastoral Ministry, Biblical Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When Church Members Leave: How Pastors Carry The Quiet Wound

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

Pastors feel deep pain when people leave their church. Understanding why it happens and how to respond wisely can turn hurt into growth, humility, and renewed strength.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, John 6:66-67, Proverbs 19:11, Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices, connect, church  (view more)  (view less)

Understanding Halloween: A Biblical Perspective For Believers

By Josh Read on Oct 28, 2025

As the autumn leaves start to crunch underfoot and the air is turning crisp, Halloween pops up on our calendars once again. For so many, it's all about the costumes, candy, and a bit of harmless fun. But for us as believers, it often sparks some thoughtful questions: Is this just a lighthearted holiday, or is there more we should consider in light of our faith? Let's dive into Scripture together and explore a gentle, biblical lens on Halloween that helps us navigate it with grace and joy.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 2:4, Matthew 22:39, Ephesians 6:12, Deuteronomy 18:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Halloween, advice, Pastoring, church leadership, Church Leadership, pastoring, halloween  (view more)  (view less)