In Preaching Articles: "Up Your Game"

How To Stay At One Church For 42 Years

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 27, 2019

I asked my friend: weren't times when church members rose up and demanded new leadership? Did he not get the urge to try something new?

Tags: Preaching, how to stay

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

Four Subtle Ways Satan Sneaks Into Your Pulpit

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jan 27, 2025

Effective ministry demands that we recognize the tactics of the enemy and then guard against them in our preaching.

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:21, 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Satan, Humility, Preaching, Duty, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Finish Your Sermon Strong: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By Peter Mead on Jul 19, 2024

Finishing a sermon is neither easy nor natural. Peter Mead offers some observances of poor sermon endings and some hints on how to finish strong.

Scripture: John 19:28

Tags: Preaching, hermeneutics, Leadership General, preaching

You Can't Please Everyone With Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Feb 28, 2025

The challenge with criticism is to sort it through and preach for our audience of One, yet with a loving sensitivity to the many who sit and listen.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Criticism, criticism, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

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)

4 Ways To Keep Your Evangelistic Edge In Preaching

By J. John on Apr 2, 2020

"I believe that if a preacher will take these four principles and apply them, then the Lord will honor them, and they will see people turn to Christ."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Evangelism How To

10 Ways To Know Someone Is Leaving Your Church

By Brian Dodd on May 11, 2020

Here are the warning signs that indicate a potential move toward the back door is underway.

Tags: Preaching

Five Subtle Ways Satan Sneaks Into Your Pulpit

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Mar 26, 2025

Larry Moyer: Effective ministry demands that we recognize the tactics of the enemy and then guard against them in our preaching.

Scripture: 1 John 4:4

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How Wide Is The Gap Between Your Preaching And Their Hearing?

By Barry Whitlow on Jun 20, 2020

Seventy percent of Americans can no longer relate to how most churches in America preach the gospel.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Restore Passion To Your Preaching: Three Essential Steps

By Ken Davis on Aug 28, 2024

You may think it can be hidden, but when you lose your passion for the pulpit your congregation can hear the difference. Recapture the fire!

Scripture: John 12:20-30

Tags: Preaching, preaching

8 Must-Have Elements Of Your Easter Sermon

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2024

Eternities and lives hang in the balance--here's a checklist to keep you grounded for this very important sermon.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:23-31, Luke 24:1-12

Tags: Easter, Preaching, Easter Good Friday, Easter Resurrection, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Know Your Pulpit Blind Spots?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 13, 2023

Are you preaching the same thing over and over again but don't know it? Sherman Cox offers practical steps to avoid this often overlooked preaching rut.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Chasing The Dream, Preaching Greatness, And Knowing Your Audience

By James Scott on Apr 28, 2023

"One of the greatest weaknesses we see from leadership in the church is not understanding the audience the leader is speaking to," says James Scott.

Tags: Love, Preaching, peaceful, preaching