Preaching Tips

Do you prepare sermons regularly or plan to? Then, like most communicators, you’ve asked yourself, "What is the difference between an OK sermon and a good sermon?" Maybe you’ve wondered what makes a message top or flop, hit the target, crash and burn, prevail or fail. Quite frankly, if you…

What are the essential traits of an effective preacher? The definition of the word “trait” according to Oxford Languages: a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person. Distinguishing qualities are the important words.  Definition of “effective”, according to the same dictionary: successful in producing a desired or…

Maybe you’ve heard these two famous ways to start preaching without notes: "Pray, and God will download your message to you. You’ll be able to preach without notes. Period." That was the first "wise counsel" I received when I asked how to preach without notes. It didn't really help me.…

Have you ever wondered how to write a sermon? It can be daunting. I know the importance and the responsibility of communicating the Word. In the last three decades, I have been honored with the privilege to preach to small and large crowds, communicate to kids and adults, and teach…

There is nothing worse than feeling like your time has been wasted. Time is a finite resource, and once it is gone, it can never be recouped. However, countless congregants have felt this way about a sermon or multiple sermons from a pastor.  Most people show up to church hoping…

The Book of James is one of the most powerful and impactful books on living out your faith in the entire Bible. Your decision to preach it is a good one! So, now the question is, "How do I preach it in five Sundays like I'd like to?" Let's look…

Water baptism is such an important moment in a Christian’s new life with Christ. In most churches, it is a celebration as the congregants welcome the new members to faith. Churches have festive music blasting out the speakers, balloons with bright colors, banners with relevant slogans like “Raised to Life,”…

Over the last few years, the usual visitation and paying your respects at funeral homes has become less common. Times are changing. The 3-day visitation plus memorial service and prayer times, which was almost the norm a couple of decades ago, barely happens anymore. More and more graveside services are…

A good pastor’s life is a busy one. Whether you’re living the stretching reality of bi-vocational ministry or full-time ministry employment, the time challenge is always a reality. From meetings, to counseling, to sermon preparation, it’s a long succession of planned events…and unplanned ones as well! But sometimes, you find…

Some people don’t give because they don’t want to share what God has blessed them with. But honestly, some people don’t give because they’ve never been taught what Scripture says about giving.  If they knew the principles of Scripture, they would give. It’s not an issue of rebellion; it’s an…