In Preaching Articles: "Practical Advice"

Trust Your Stuff: Two Ways To Know When Your Sermon Is Ready

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 12, 2023

You could study and prep for 100 hours and still find something wrong with the sermon. Eventually, it's time to stand and deliver.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:20-30, Judges 6:1-16

Tags: Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, prepare, practice, Edit, sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Five Ways To Turn Off Younger Listeners

By Adam Ramsey on Nov 6, 2024

If you're still in your first 5 years as a preacher, don’t give up! God has this wonderful way of drawing straight lines with crooked sticks.

Tags: God's Love, Laughter, Young people, good advice, young people, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Senior Pastor: Friend Or Foe

By Josh Griffin on Sep 13, 2024

Veteran youth director Josh Griffin gives seasoned advice to senior pastors on developing their relationship with their youth ministry leader.

Tags: Youth, leadership, staff, Pastors, pastoral care, student, Pastoral Care, Youth Ministry, church leadership, Leadership, Church Leadership, Senior Pastor, Staff Relationships  (view more)  (view less)

C. S. Lewis On Clear Writing (And Better Preaching)

By Ray Hollenbach on Aug 13, 2020

C. S. Lewis’s advice on clear writing offers pastors a timeless guide for preaching that is precise, concrete, and spiritually effective.

Scripture: 1 John 4:4, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:8-9, Colossians 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Clarity

Preach The Person, Not Just The Principles

By Peter Mead on Apr 22, 2025

Too many sermons teach responsibility without revealing Christ. Faithful preaching must center on the living Person, not merely biblical advice.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:2, John 12:32, Colossians 1:27-28, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Philippians 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

If You Can't Apply What I Preach, I've Failed You

By Glenn Packiam on Aug 21, 2020

Faithful preaching does more than offer advice. It reveals Christ and drives God’s people to repentance, humility, and the Lord’s Table.

Scripture: Acts 2:37, Colossians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 6:53-58, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Lords Supper, preaching

10 Tips Every Rookie Preacher Should Hear

By Peter Mead on Sep 22, 2025

Sage advice we all wish we had heard when we were just starting out. Do you know a young preacher who might benefit?

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Tags: preaching, Preaching, rookie, glory thief, discriminate  (view more)  (view less)

Effective Pastors Never Do These Deadly 5 Things

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 10, 2021

Great advice from Joe McKeever: "Don’t ever resign your church in a fit of passion. In a rush of anger. That’s a huge no-no for preachers."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Monday Morning Blues? Try These Six Antidotes

By Charles Stone on Oct 27, 2021

Check out these practical steps to fight discouragement.

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

Tags: preaching, Preaching, Destiny, Antidotes, monday morning blues, second guess  (view more)  (view less)

How To Plan For A Year Of Preaching

By Ted Torreson on Nov 19, 2021

Ted Torreson offers practical help for you to face the coming year.

Scripture: Song of Songs 6:4-12

Tags: Preaching, one year preaching, preaching

Your 7-Step Survival Guide To Preaching Multiple Services

By Lane Sebring on Dec 5, 2019

These practices will help you make sure you preach your best at every service, every Sunday.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Tags: Preaching, helps

10 Things You Can Do To Make Your Pastor’s Sermons Better

By Jared Moore on Nov 18, 2020

Healthy congregations understand that preaching is not a performance to consume but a sacred moment to steward with prayerful participation and practical support.

Scripture: James 1:21-22, Acts 6:4, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:9, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pastor, teach, Learning, Improve, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 2)

By Lance Witt on Apr 3, 2024

“What does true “unity” look like practically? If Jesus’ prayer was answered, what would be the evidence?”

Scripture: Romans 12:10, Acts 4:32-35

Tags: Generosity, christian unity, Church Unity, local church purpose

A Risk Worth Taking Part Ii

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Dec 26, 2023

The first step in practically engaging Sabbath rest is getting rid of our narrow and legalistic views of the day.

Scripture: Mark 2:27-28, Psalm 112:1, John 10:10, Mark 3:1-4

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, Saturday, legalism vs grace, New Year's Reflection, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting A Strong Sermon: 10 Checkpoints

By Outreach Inc. on Aug 29, 2024

From prayer to practice, this pastoral reflection outlines a sermon preparation process shaped by reverence, responsibility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Proverbs 21:31, Matthew 16:18-19, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit