In Preaching Articles: "Ugly Preaching"

The Whisper That Made Me Leave My Church

By Tod Bolsinger on Sep 10, 2021

I would hear that line echoed in my mind long after each conversation was over: "Why didn't seminary prepare me for this?"

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-25

Tags: curriculum, Preaching, prepare, Theology, Seminary  (view more)  (view less)

10 Differences Between Borrowing And Stealing Someone Else's Sermon

By James Emery White on Sep 27, 2021

Good communicators borrow material all the time. But how should you communicate your sources of ideas and inspiration?

Tags: Steal, Preaching, Borrow, Plagiarism, Quotes  (view more)  (view less)

People Don't Want To Sit And Listen Anymore: 4 Ways To Connect With A New Generation

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 25, 2019

Most people who leave the church aren't leaving God. Many of them are leaving the way we do church to try and find God.

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31, Acts 20:7-12

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Shift, disconnect, distrust  (view more)  (view less)

Make Your Sermon Unforgettable—three Keys

By Tim Coressel on Oct 8, 2019

From the moment you "close in prayer," that message you labored over for hours will begin to fade in the minds of your audience.

Scripture: Isaiah 11:6-9

Tags: Preaching, passion, Real, unforgettable sermon

One Dozen Liberating Life Lessons That Give Pastors Rest For Their Souls

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 28, 2019

We are loaded down with so many "shoulds," we find ourselves paralyzed by the inability to apply what we know.

Tags: Rest, Soul, Preaching, life lessons

7 Subtle Signs Your Church Is Dying

By Carey Nieuwhof on Feb 18, 2021

As with almost everything in life, there are subtle signs your peak may be near or you may be cresting past it. Other times, the signs of death are evident to everyone but the leaders. If you recognize the signs early enough, you can reverse the trend.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Church Health, Leadership

8 Ways To Make Your Church More Accessible

By Rod Arnold on Mar 14, 2025

Here are some smart, practical things you can do to connect with more people in your community and give them a chance to get to know your church.

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Church, Compassion, Preaching, Together, Church General, Evangelism How To, preaching, church, love  (view more)  (view less)

A Preacher's Cheat-Sheet For Prayer And Final Sermon Prep

By Tony Evans on Feb 24, 2024

Tim Challies relies on prayer and prep—but he doesn't leave it to his memory. Here's his cheat-sheet.

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-21

Tags: Preaching, Prayer, sermon prep, cheat sheet, tim challies, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

9 Stupid Things I Did As A Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2020

Does your misery love company? Come sit next to Thom Rainer a while.

Tags: Preaching, worry, pastor, neglect, Criticism, Prayer Life, Pastor, prayer life, criticism, Worry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Never Waste A Good Sermon!

By Brandon Cox on Nov 9, 2023

Do you ever get that post-sermon, anti-climactic feeling that all of your research, all of your writing, all of your preparation just got burned up in a single half-hour shot?

Tags: Teaching, ebook, preaching, teaching, Preaching, podcast, video, Effective Teaching, Maximize Usefulness, Sermon Uses  (view more)  (view less)

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, Preaching, pastor, Commentary  (view more)  (view less)

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 4, 2025

A call to reject mind–spirit false dichotomies, embrace biblical thinking, and pursue a humble, renewed mind that deepens spiritual formation and love for God.

Scripture: Luke 10:27, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thought, Humility, Preaching, pastor, devotion, original sin, Mind, Christian Disciplines, Christian Leadership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stay At One Church For 40+ Years

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 27, 2019

Discover timeless wisdom on staying rooted in one church for 40 years. Learn key habits, mindset shifts, and relational tools that sustain long-term ministry.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Conflict Resolution, how to stay, preaching, Church Leadership, Ministry Longevity  (view more)  (view less)

Pulpit Humour: Five Pointers

By Peter Mead on Jul 23, 2022

5 Tips on how to avoid landmines when using humor in the pulpit.

Tags: Humility in Teaching, e, preaching, teaching, Teaching, Preaching, humor, Pastoral Ministry, Communication skills, Pulpit Helps  (view more)  (view less)

What Is Saving Faith?

By R. C. Sproul on Sep 1, 2022

Faith is central to Christianity. The New Testament repeatedly calls people to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a definite body of content to be believed, which is part and parcel of our religious activity.

Scripture: James 2:14-17

Tags: God's righteousness, preaching the gospel, salvation by grace, Salvation, justification, Adoption, Reformation, saving faith, Preach Christ  (view more)  (view less)