In Preaching Articles: "Preaching"

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)

The Power Of Vivid Description

By Peter Mead on Jul 22, 2024

Peter Mead: "I’m convinced that one of the key ingredients for effective preaching is effective and vivid description. Practice it. Learn it."

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Power, Preaching, illustration, descriptions, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Worst Thing About My Own Sermons

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 22, 2024

Joe McKeever loves praise as much as the next guy. He also knows the preaching error he is most likely to make.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How Should Preachers Respond To Tragic Events?

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 29, 2024

From the recent Oklahoma tornadoes to 9/11, what do you do when tragic events overtake your preaching plans?

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One Question That Can Ruin Your Sermon Prep—in The Best Way

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Mar 20, 2023

If you have never asked yourself this question, you might end up preaching to the mind while steering totally clear of the soul.

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Mind, need, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Soul, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways--No, 6--To Lull Your Listeners To Sleep

By Lane Sebring on Nov 28, 2019

There's nothing like a good snoozer of a sermon. But what does it take to preach a sermon that makes your listeners fall sound asleep?

Tags: fall asleep, preaching, Preaching, boring, listeners  (view more)  (view less)

4 Deadly Dangers In Shortcutting Quality Exegesis

By Peter Mead on Dec 18, 2024

Shortcuts in exegesis result in a passage idea that does not carry the true content--nor the character--of the passage on which we claim to be preaching.

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Tags: Preaching, preaching

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 21, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 7, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, Christian Growth, New Life In Christ, counsel, Christian growth, new life in Christ, Spiritual Transformation, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Preaching More Practical And Relevant

By Rick Ezell on Jan 31, 2025

Use these methods to practically reach people suffering from real hurts, problems, doubts, fears, and anxieties gnawing at their faith.

Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, Romans 10:4

Tags: Preaching, Culture, Self, Relevance, audience, application, preaching, culture  (view more)  (view less)

9 Tips To Keep Your Preaching Fresh On Special Days

By John Beukema on May 5, 2020

John Beukema discusses the challenges and opportunities of providing your listeners with fresh content for holiday sermons.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Tags: mother's day, preparation, Advent, Holidays, Father's Day, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Five Clear Rules For Preaching From C. S. Lewis

By Ray Hollenbach on Aug 14, 2020

Whether you are a preacher of an aspiring writer, master communicator C.S. Lewis has some suggestions for you.

Scripture: 1 John 4:4

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Improve Your Preaching In 5 Easy Steps Right Now

By Erik Raymond on Aug 18, 2020

Every preacher wants to get better. Erik Raymond offers five things you can do right away to impact your next sermon.

Tags: Preaching

What You’ll Never Hear About Preaching In Seminary

By Mark A. Howell on Sep 24, 2024

Perhaps you've heard these suggestions before. The real issue is whether they are active in your ministry week to week.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Do People Really Hear When You Preach?

By Safiyah Fosua on Jan 20, 2024

Three keys on how to make your sermons more memorable from Professor Safiyah Fosua.

Tags: Preaching, preaching