In Preaching Articles: "Practical Advice"

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)

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: carnal vs spiritual, jonathan edwards, preaching, Preaching, practice  (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)

A Dozen Bad Easter Eggs: 12 Mistakes We Should Avoid This Year

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 31, 2020

Joe McKeever gets real with advice learned by the hard experience of many Easters.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Tags: preaching, Easter, Preaching, mistakes, Fail  (view more)  (view less)

Busting Out Of Sermon Block

By Haddon Robinson on May 28, 2020

Give your sermons new life every week with this timeless advice from Haddon Robinson.

Scripture: Luke 6:39-45, John 16:8-11

Tags: Love, Church, Preaching, Prayer, dedication, preparation, prepare, Result, Time, length, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

Five Ways To Turn Off Younger Listeners

By Adam Ramsey on Nov 7, 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)

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

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 13, 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, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, prepare, practice, Edit  (view more)  (view less)

Senior Pastor: Friend Or Foe

By Josh Griffin on Sep 14, 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, student, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Monday Morning Blues? Try These Six Antidotes

By Charles Stone on Oct 28, 2021

Check out these practical steps to fight discouragement.

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-10

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

10 Reasons Small Churches Tend To Stay Small

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

After working for years among hundreds of small congregations, Joe McKeever speaks to the subtle growth barriers that tend to go unnoticed or unaddressed in stagnant churches.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Small Church, Church Practices, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

How To Plan For A Year Of Preaching

By Ted Torreson on Nov 20, 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

10 Tips Every Rookie Preacher Should Hear

By Peter Mead on Sep 23, 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: discriminate, preaching, Preaching, rookie, glory thief  (view more)  (view less)