In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Help"

Pulpit Abuse: What It Is And How To Stop It

By Calvin Miller on Sep 23, 2024

Preachers must guard against hijacking sermons with hobbies, grievances, politics, or personal therapy instead of proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 24:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, James 3:1, Colossians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Christ Centered, preaching

Before You Quit: A Word To Weary Pastors

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.

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, 1 Kings 18:17, Romans 11:2-5, Psalm 24:3-5, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Perseverance, Preaching, quit, preaching

Are You Guilty Of Pastoral Plagiarism?

By James Emery White on Oct 10, 2020

Borrowing ideas is common in ministry, but passing off another preacher’s words or stories as your own crosses an ethical line. Here’s where that line stands.

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:28, Proverbs 12:22

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Homiletics, preaching

Is He Crazy To Share His Pulpit?

By Larry Osborne on Oct 12, 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 16, 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 20, 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

Do We Owe Every Wedding Ceremony A Fresh Sermon?

By Nathan Aaseng on Jun 5, 2023

The challenge is to make the wedding couple feel that the homily is not just a canned one, pulled out of the file and dusted off for the 35th time.

Tags: Wedding, Fresh, Preaching, preaching

5 Integrity Traps Waiting For Every Preacher

By Peter Mead on Aug 30, 2021

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

Tags: Preaching, Integrity, Plagiarism, preaching

Four Sharp Questions To Whittle Your Sermon Into Shape

By Tyler Scarlett on Jul 21, 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 30, 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 2, 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: Preaching, humor, jokes, preaching

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

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 6, 2023

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

Scripture: 1 John 5:3

Tags: Idea, Preaching, Text, preaching

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

By Peter Mead on Dec 3, 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: Preaching, education, Seminary, preaching

11 Signs Your Church Is Going Extinct

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 13, 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 7, 2021

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

Tags: Preaching, Church Growth, preaching