In Preaching Articles: "Up Lift"

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols

By Chris Surber on Nov 15, 2024

Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

Scripture: Leviticus 26:30

Tags: Preaching, destroy, Discussion, modern idols, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Saturday Nights Are Not For Sermon Planning

By Hans Wunch on Oct 9, 2019

You spent so much time this week at the hospital with church members, you thought about stopping by human resources to pick up a paycheck.

Scripture: Luke 23:43

Tags: Preaching, guidance, prepare, sermon planning, leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Your Congregation Is Fact-Checking Your Preaching (And That's Good News)

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 30, 2023

Up to 38 percent of churchgoing Millennials will do an online search to verify what we say. And many of them are doing it while we’re preaching.

Tags: Search, millennials, Fact Checking, preaching, Internet, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Promote Jesus: Not Personality, Professionalism, Or Brand

By Joe Hoagland on Jan 18, 2022

The church can learn a lot from worldly business and marketing trends but many times churches and church leaders end up promoting the wrong thing.

Tags: Jesus, focus on GOD, Pastoral Character, church marketing

How To Shepherd Your Flock In A Politically Charged World

By Trevin Wax on Jun 1, 2022

Everything gets politicized these days. It’s never been easier for churches to also get caught up in waves of political enthusiasm and social activism.

Tags: Gospel, Politics, Religion, Activism, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Preach Like The Room Is Full" Is Some Of The Worst Advice

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 16, 2025

"Even if only three people show up to church, preach like the room is full!" That's some of the worst advice I've ever received in ministry.

Tags: terrible advice, preaching, Preaching, opportunity, full room  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 2, 2020

Multisensory preaching engages more of the listener, increases clarity and retention, and can reignite your joy in teaching by making sermons more vivid and memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, pastor, wake up, Cohabitation, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Teaching Tools, Pastoral Communication, Creative Ministry, adult children, Communication General, God's dwelling place, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, communication, illustration, Clarity, time is at hand, Homiletics, Awake, Dress Properly  (view more)  (view less)

Eight Ideas For Reaping The Fruit Of Your Vacation Bible School

By Hal Seed on Jul 8, 2024

Learn how to move beyond counting VBS attendance to measuring true fruit by building relationships, following up well, and enfolding unchurched families into the life of your church.

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Children, Outreach, family, VBS, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Five Ways To Turn Off Younger Listeners

By Adam Ramsey on Nov 7, 2024

If you're still in your first 5 years as a preacher, don’t give up! God has this wonderful way of drawing straight lines with crooked sticks.

Tags: Laughter, Young people, good advice, young people, preaching, Preaching, God's Love  (view more)  (view less)

Have You Fallen Into The 'passionate Preaching Trap'?

By Josh Reich on Dec 26, 2019

If you aren't careful, you will only preach on the things you find important...and you'll end up missing an enormous part of your church.

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13

Tags: Preaching, Spirit led, exegesis, preaching

Shut Down The Bus Tours: What Older Members Should Really Be Doing

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 9, 2023

What if this one generation actually just sacrificed for the sake of another? What if they gave up their preferences in music, style and taste so that others could come to know Christ?

Tags: God's family, Life Mission, mission, Intergenerational

6 Things To Do When Someone Insults You

By Josh Reich on Apr 14, 2023

You know the conversation. Someone in your church asks to meet with you, or you set up the meeting because you know they are angry at you, the church or a decision that was made.

Tags: Hurt, church conflict, Dealing with Conflicts, Leadership Listening

10 Reasons Even Committed Church Attenders Are Attending Church Less Often

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 21, 2023

It comes up in a surprising number of conversations these days. And no one’s quite sure how to respond to it. The issue? Even committed church attenders are attending church less often.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25, 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3, Matthew 24:9-13

Tags: Technology, Culture, church decline, Church attendence, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Keep Learning To Lead: Five Practical Lessons

By Gavin Ortlund on Apr 29, 2022

Leadership is hard. I rank it up there with pain, parenting, and preaching as one of those things in life that we never fully master, but only hope to keep learning over a lifetime.

Scripture: John 13:15-16, John 16:12

Tags: Teamwork, Leadership General, servant leadership, Jesus' leadership

4 Reasons Why People Leave And 3 Ways Pastors Respond

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

In the early days of starting Seacoast, I used to wince when someone asked for an appointment. “Was this another ‘core team member’ hanging up their spurs?”, I’d think to myself.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)