In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Pastoral Ministry"

How To Keep Sermon Illustrations Fresh And Engaging

By Erik Raymond on Jun 16, 2021

Predictable illustrations can weaken otherwise strong sermons. Preachers can refresh their preaching by intentionally filling their minds with richer sources of insight and stories.

Scripture: Luke 6:45, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Colossians 4:6, 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Read, Preaching, biography, newspaper, Classic, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 22, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Tools To Explain A Biblical Passage Clearly

By Peter Mead on Dec 8, 2024

Why not simply read a bit of Bible and then say what you want to say, making the odd vague connection? This passes for preaching in many places.

Scripture: Genesis 49:10

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Crafting A Culture Of Honor

By Lance Witt on Oct 21, 2020

In the middle of this election year, the amount of vicious attack and trash talking has reached a new high (or low). I think it is time that we as pastors take the lead in helping our congregations and communities know how to treat one another.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:35, Romans 12:10

Tags: honor

Creating A Healthy Team Culture

By Lance Witt on Jun 25, 2023

Culture is one of things that is hard to define but easy to feel. You certainly feel it when you visit a foreign country and you bump up against different customs and ways of doing things, but you also feel it when you enter a business or a church. There is a certain style or personality of an organization that is an expression of culture. I sometimes think of culture as the organization’s “way” of doing what they do. There is a Ritz Carlton “way” of doing customer service. There is a Starbucks “way” of doing business. There is a Crossroads Church “way” of doing ministry.

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When Passion In The Pulpit Goes Too Far

By Peter Mead on Apr 27, 2020

Preaching with zeal is good, but unguarded passion can turn aggressive, shouty, distracting, or draining. Learn how to keep intensity from undermining your message.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:16, Proverbs 15:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Colossians 4:6, James 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Discernment, Preaching, passion, Passion of Christ, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Shorten Your Sermon

By Peter Mead on Aug 19, 2024

Preaching time is limited, and sermons easily expand. These practical tips show how to trim intros, illustrations, context, conclusions, and post-sermon elements wisely.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Edit, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Bridging The Church Communication Gap

By Barry Whitlow on Jun 19, 2020

Seventy percent avoid church because our communication no longer connects. Reaching them requires bold change, cultural awareness, and clearer, relevant preaching.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Colossians 4:5-6, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14-15

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

What Do People Actually Remember From Your Sermon?

By Safiyah Fosua on Jan 19, 2024

Listeners forget most of what we preach. Discover three qualities that make sermons stick: fresh perspective, human depth, and deep rooting in Scripture.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, Luke 15:11-32, John 4:1-26, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Tags: Preaching, application, preaching, Application

A Christmas Sermon 1,700 Years Old

By Brian Orme on Dec 16, 2024

Seventeen centuries ago, Gregory of Nazianzus preached Christmas as cosmic upheaval, divine condescension, and joyful trembling. His sermon still instructs our worship.

Scripture: Psalm 96:1, Isaiah 9:6, John 1:14, Psalm 2:11

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, ancient, preaching, Gregory Of Nazianzus  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Sell The Gospel!

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 17, 2020

The gospel is corrupted when it promises earthly prosperity or bases justification on human obedience. Faithful preaching keeps Christ alone as our treasure and our righteousness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:17, Luke 17:31-33, Luke 18:18-23, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 3:21-26  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Paul, Gospel, Preaching, Pharisees, peddle, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Sermons Also Include Listening

By Ryan Huguley on May 30, 2025

Preaching is not only about the preacher delivering the message but also about the congregation listening well. Scripture calls believers to receive the Word with prayer, humility, and expectation.

Scripture: Luke 16:17, James 1:21-22, Hebrews 4:12, Acts 17:11, 1 Thessalonians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Great, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, Biblical Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Getting Out Of The Sermon Prep Rut

By Matt Brough on Nov 15, 2024

One of the challenges for preachers who have been preaching for some time is that it is much easier to coast, to do less preparation and to simply rely on your experience.

Tags: Preaching, problem, sermon prep, Preaching Rut, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remarkable Discoveries From 263 Interviews About Sermons

By Ron Allen on Oct 3, 2021

It seems like a no-brainer, yet preachers rarely seek direct input from listeners about how we might improve our preaching.

Scripture: Philippians 1:5-10

Tags: Preaching, challenge, point of view, listener

Preacher: Know The "Other Side" Well

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 19, 2023

Pretty much everything you preach on has at least one challenge to it, not even just from culture but also from within Christian theology.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Culture, Theology, communication, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)