In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Challenges"

The Hardest Part Of A Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 22, 2021

The Lord gives His message to those who seek Him, who wait upon Him, who are willing to do His will.

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:1-15

Tags: Preaching, difficult, hard, preaching

Is He Crazy To Share His Pulpit?

By Larry Osborne on Oct 11, 2024

"The notion of sharing my pulpit was unthinkable, tantamount to a denial of my calling."

Scripture: Zechariah 5:1-4

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Share, preaching

Build Your Sermon Like A House

By Greg Stier on Oct 15, 2024

Greg Stier learned to exegete a text at the same time he learned to swing a hammer. It paid off.

Scripture: Luke 14:22-33

Tags: Preaching, House, build, preaching

A Preacher's Gut-Check: Seven Hard Questions About Your Sermon

By J.s. Park on Jun 19, 2025

After you have your three points, consulted all the commentaries and fit in your illustrations, then it's time to get real.

Scripture: John 14:1-6

Tags: Preaching, Good, questions, preaching

5 Integrity Traps Waiting For Every Preacher

By Peter Mead on Aug 29, 2021

People long for the preacher to have a deep sense of consistency.

Tags: Integrity, Plagiarism, preaching, Preaching

Four Sharp Questions To Whittle Your Sermon Into Shape

By Tyler Scarlett on Jul 20, 2025

The sermon's not done until you sharpen the point. Here are four excellent ways to do it.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22-24

Tags: Preaching, points, Sharpen, preaching

5 Things You Can Do Today To Sharpen Tomorrow's Sermon

By Erik Raymond on May 29, 2025

If you want to make tomorrow's sermon shine even more, START HERE.

Scripture: Genesis 42:20-38

Tags: Preaching, Tension, Transparency, preaching

No Joking In The Pulpit? Hershael York Says To Pull The Punch Line

By Hershael York on Oct 1, 2021

"Preachers should not tell jokes for one reason only: They don't do it well. In fact, they do it badly."

Scripture: Acts 4:1-10

Tags: humor, jokes, preaching, Preaching

Great, You've Got A Theme, But Do You Have A Sermon?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 5, 2023

Do you ALWAYS have to start with a text? Sherman Cox says "no."

Scripture: 1 John 5:3

Tags: Preaching, Text, preaching, Idea

Seminary-Trained Preachers Face Unique Flaws: Are Yours On The List?

By Peter Mead on Dec 2, 2024

"You should wear your learning like your underwear: it's important that you have it on, but don't let it show."

Scripture: Psalm 119:10-12

Tags: education, Seminary, preaching, Preaching

11 Signs Your Church Is Going Extinct

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 12, 2025

Unless you’re in a free fall right now, it can be hard to know whether your congregation will thrive, survive or take a dive in the next decade.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Tags: Church, Preaching, preaching, church

Why Church Growth Is A Shockingly Inexact Science

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 6, 2021

"There is no surefire method for numerical church growth. Period."

Tags: Preaching, Church Growth, preaching

6 Tips On How Pastors Can Help Others Discover Their Spiritual Gifts

By Charles Stone on Mar 31, 2023

The more pastors help people discover, develop, and deploy their spiritual gifts, the healthier our churches become. How have you helped others discover their gifts?

Tags: Preaching, Spiritual Gifts, preaching

Eight Things I Like About The Church…and Five I Hate.

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 6, 2023

Show me a Christian who can please God better alone than with other believers and I’ll show you a one-of-a-kind, something never before seen on planet Earth. The Lord thought you and I would be needing each other, so placed us in a church fellowship when He saved us.

Tags: Church, Preaching, preaching, church

The Power Of Choosing To Be A Touchable Leader

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 4, 2023

I love people, but I need to let them know it. So it requires intentional effort to communicate that I’m touchable and approachable, that I care enough to listen and that I’m a safe place for people.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching