In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Challenges"

Gospel-Centered Sermons Actually Work

By Jeff Medders on Nov 16, 2022

"I want to encourage every pastor reading this to keep preaching the gospel. Week in. Week out. Keep exalting, heralding, and lifting up our crucified Savior, risen from the dead, reigning in Heaven, saving all who will look to him and believe."

Scripture: Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:28, 1 Corinthians 2:2

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, teach, pastoral leadership, Entrust with Gospel, Pastoral Ministry, preaching Christ, power of the gospel, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Steps To Help Your Good, But Slightly Off-Center Message Break Through The Noise

By Karl Vaters on Oct 27, 2023

When your message is off-center, the quality matters even more.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What You Absolutely Need To Let Your Guest Preacher Know

By Rev. Stuart Strachan Jr. on Sep 18, 2024

What are the most important things you need to let your guest preacher know before you head out of town?

Tags: Ministry, Preaching, practical advice, guest preaching, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors Never Know Who’s In The Audience

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 18, 2022

When a pastor stands to preach, he never knows who is listening to him. And if his sermon is recorded or broadcast, he has no clue who will be hearing his words. He will do well to make sure he knows what he’s talking about.

Tags: Communication, Teaching, Preaching, preaching tips, pastoral leadership, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching Blunders, communication, preaching, teaching  (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: Fail, preaching, Easter, Preaching, mistakes  (view more)  (view less)

Store Away The Criticisms For Tuesday Morning (And 3 More Great Suggestions)

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 30, 2019

One of the most dangerous times for a pastor are the hours following his Sunday sermon.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, dangerous, criticism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Thoughts About Excellence In Ministry

By Brandon Cox on Mar 29, 2025

Excellence honors God, but it must never overshadow the mission. These five principles help ministry leaders pursue quality without drifting from gospel priorities.

Scripture: Colossians 3:17, Ecclesiastes 11:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 12:11, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Excellence, Christian Discipleship, preaching

Preacher To Preacher: Three Vital Questions Before You Quit The Ministry

By Leslie Holmes on Sep 26, 2024

Astounding: 50 percent of pastors serving American congregations are so discouraged in ministry that they would quit if they could afford to do so.

Tags: Ministry, Preaching, quit, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Ten (Christmas) Sermon-Starters From The Life Of Mary

By Ray Hollenbach on Dec 25, 2025

When you cover the familiar territory of the Christmas Story year after year, sometimes you have to try another angle.

Tags: Christmas, Jesus, Power, Preaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Bible Software And Sermon Prep

By Peter Mead on May 13, 2025

When's the last time you invested in some tools of the trade?

Scripture: Luke 10:35-41

Tags: Computer, Preaching, software, Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Avoid Indecent Exposure In The Pulpit

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on May 14, 2025

Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage.

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Modesty, Exposure, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Outline That Sermon -- If You Can

By Joe Mckeever on May 17, 2025

Sure, it seems like a no-brainer, but what if you're a "right-brained preacher"?

Scripture: Romans 10:1-12

Tags: Preaching, Brain, Outline, brain, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Five Ways To Improve Your Sermons

By Charles Arn on Nov 24, 2020

Research has found that we remember less than 10 percent of the unsupported spoken word.

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11, Jonah 1:1

Tags: Preaching, teach, Retention, Improve, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why (And How) Transitions Can Make Or Break Your Sermon

By Peter Mead on Dec 2, 2020

Your sermon outline looks so good on paper, but how you transition from one point to another is just as important.

Scripture: Proverbs 11:24

Tags: Preaching, transition, effective, conclusion, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Being Bi-Vocational Can Make You A Better Preacher

By Adam Russell on May 18, 2021

"Having a job is so normal, and rigid, and bourgeois. It’s unbecoming a person who is destined to greatness."

Tags: Job, Preaching, better, vocation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)