In Preaching Articles: "Next Level"

Preaching That Raises The Water Level

By Ray Hollenbach on Apr 29, 2025

Faithful preaching often works slowly. One sermon at a time, pastors nourish long-term growth that shapes congregations over the years.

Scripture: Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:14, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 5:12-14, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

3 Levels Of Leadership: Are Your Leaders In The Right Place?

By Brandon Kelley on Sep 4, 2022

Every church has leaders, but not every church has leaders in the right place. If there’s a person in the wrong place in leadership, extensive damage can be done.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12

Tags: leadership, Teamwork, Dependability, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church leadership, Leader of Others, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Rethinking "Next Steps” In Discipleship

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 29, 2020

Churches often talk about “next steps,” but the phrase can become vague and ineffective. Meaningful discipleship requires clear, practical, and relational pathways for spiritual growth.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Hebrews 10:24-25, James 1:22, Colossians 1:28, 2 Peter 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Story, success, step, next, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Forget Seminaries: What Are You Doing To Train The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Chris Surber on Aug 15, 2025

We have a lot of people genuinely called, sincerely gifted people who struggle to find their way past the gatekeepers in our churches and denominations.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Mark 5:24-34

Tags: Discipleship, Gift, Seminary, Next Generation

Are You Raising The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Ben Mandrell on Apr 17, 2025

If the "preacher population" is shrinking, perhaps you have a role to play that could impact generations to come.

Scripture: John 15:15

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Choose Your Next Preaching Series

By John Percival on Sep 14, 2020

Seven pastoral questions to help you prayerfully and wisely choose your next sermon series and feed your church a balanced biblical diet.

Scripture: Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Colossians 1:28, Psalm 119:105  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Preach Eutychus Out The Window

By Jonathan Herron on Jul 25, 2021

Biblical truth must be preached with clarity and conviction, but also with life and engagement. Lifeless preaching risks losing the next generation.

Scripture: John 3:5-10, Acts 20:9-12, Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Young, Preaching, boring, Next Generation, deadly, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Jun 5, 2026

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem.

Scripture: Micah 7:1-15

Tags: Grace, Truth, Preaching, communicate, tone, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor, The Next Time You Attend A Conference, Do This!

By Brandon Kelley on Nov 7, 2022

"You can make the next time you attend a conference worth your while."

Tags: Plan, leadership, effective, productivity, pastoral leadership, overcoming problems, planning, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Instagram Generation: Four Ways Smartphone Cameras Are Changing Us

By Tony Reinke on Jun 2, 2022

A spectacular waterfall exposed me to how my smartphone habits are getting passed to my kids.

Scripture: Hebrews 6:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:6, Philippians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 4:16, Romans 12:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Technology, Bad Habits, Next Generation, social media, Cell Phone, Sharenting  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Play Games With Scripture: 10 Checkpoints For Your Next Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 16, 2025

"Here are a few 'preacher games' I've noticed over the years, all of them being dishonorable and unworthy."

Tags: Preaching, unworthy, checkpoints, preacher games, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach Like You Have Four Audiences

By Mark Gomez on Sep 22, 2020

Pastors never speak to only one audience. Learn how four “levels” of listeners hear your words, and how to speak truth in love with wisdom.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-18, Ephesians 4:15, Ephesians 6:18-20, Proverbs 18:21, James 1:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ephesians

How To Preach Like You’re Having A Conversation

By Lane Sebring on Jan 20, 2026

Want your sermons to connect on a deeper level? Learn how a conversational preaching style can make your message more personal, relatable, and engaging.

Tags: authentic ministry, Authentic Ministry

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 22, 2025

Faithful preaching is not just proclamation; it is a long, patient conversation with the people you shepherd. One sermon at a time, the water level rises, and people grow toward maturity.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2, Hebrews 5:12-14

Tags: believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation, spiritual health, preaching, Spiritual Health  (view more)  (view less)

8 Questions To Ask Before You Preach A Sermon

By Josh Reich on Oct 16, 2022

8 questions to ask as you prepare to preach your next sermon.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, pastoral leadership, preaching the Word, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)