In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Tips"

Pastor And Prophet

By Lance Witt on May 11, 2024

"When it comes to our preaching, we live in the constant tension between pastor and prophet. On one hand, as pastors we want to encourage and care for the sheep. So, in our preaching we want to be uplifting and hopeful. On the other hand, as prophets we must sometimes say the hard things that the sheep don’t want to hear."

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pride, People pleasing, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Dealing With The Preacher-Eaters

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 21, 2020

Joe McKeever shares practical advice for dealing with the self-appointed church rulers who try to dominate your preaching and your ministry.

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-10

Tags: Ministry, leadership, Prayer, affliction, Confrontation, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons I Began Using A Sermon Manuscript

By Jeff Medders on Aug 20, 2020

"I used to always enter the pulpit with outline in hand; but no longer. I now preach from a full manuscript — 2,500 words or so."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Mark 6:1-8

Tags: Preaching, manuscript, Outline

How To Confuse A Sermon

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 2, 2023

It's happened to all of us: you're preaching, and a new thought pops into your head. Do you add an "aside" to your sermon?

Tags: Power, Preaching, points, aside, 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 23, 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: spiritual health, preaching, believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation  (view more)  (view less)

8 Tools To Explain A Biblical Passage Clearly

By Peter Mead on Dec 9, 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

4 Ingredients Of A Home Run Sermon

By Rick Ezell on Feb 7, 2025

Can your preaching hit a home run week in and week out? Sunday comes every seven days whether your sermon is prepared or not.

Scripture: Mark 6:12

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preparation, Religion, Relevance, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Places To Find A Sermon

By John Mcclure on May 13, 2020

What will I preach on? Whether you're asking this question a week, a month, or a year in advance of the Sunday in question, you're looking for inspiration.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Study, Preaching, preparation, preaching

When To Throw Away Your Sermon Notes

By Ted Smith on Nov 13, 2020

Some preachers think it's more spiritual to preach without notes. Others think it's more spiritual to use notes. What if it's both?

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, neglect, habit, note, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Getting Out Of The Sermon Prep Rut

By Matt Brough on Nov 16, 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: Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, problem, sermon prep, Preaching Rut  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remarkable Discoveries From 263 Interviews About Sermons

By Ron Allen on Oct 4, 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

True Story: The Guinness Record For The World's Longest Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 11, 2019

Pastor Zach Zehnder of Cross Church began his quest on Friday, November 7, and by Sunday had preached for 53 hours and 18 minutes—Why?

Scripture: Lamentations 3:23

Tags: Preaching

Preacher: Know The "Other Side" Well

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 20, 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)

Your Mother's Day Sermon, Pastor

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 30, 2020

Why is it so difficult for pastors of all ages to preach Mother’s Day sermons? Pastor-to-pastors Joe McKeever gives some assistance.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Tags: Holidays, Preaching, pastor, mothers, mother's day  (view more)  (view less)