The Essential Traits of an Effective Preacher & How to Practice Them 

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 intended result.

I am taking the time to define those words in order to better determine what those traits are. You may be thinking of specific communicators who you consider efficient, qualified, and inspiring. The list of traits noted here is not extensive as there may be other qualities you may value more. 

I have asked some very respected pastors that are effective preachers who are living out the necessary attributes, and their answers were refreshing. They would know who they are. They have numerous followers, people appreciate them, their churches are growing deep and wide, and I know them personally as well. For the sake of this article, traits will be classified into 3 different categories.

• Professional habits
• Personal attributes
• Spiritual traits 

These traits can be seen in the Bible through characters and teachings. SO before even diving into the subject: 

#1 An effective preacher will always be biblical. After all, you are looking for traits of a preacher. A motivational speaker is not necessarily an effective preacher. The source material for a preacher is the Bible. How do you practice being biblical? Read the Scriptures to know them and let the Word of God transform you. 

Now that we’ve set the record straight from the get-go, you can continue reading.

PROFESSIONAL HABITS

1. Organized thought. Effective preachers organize their sermons with one clear thought. When Paul writes, you know he had one thought and developed it.

• Practice point: On your next message, have 1 major thought and subdivide it into three related points. 
• Example: 
  • Main Thought: God is love. 
  • 1. God loved us before we loved him. 
  • 2. God loves sinners. 
  • 3. He gave us Jesus out of love.

2. Connector. The best communicators have refined the art of connecting with people, no matter how small or big the crowd. Jesus did that with the crowds and individuals.

• Practice: Make eye contact with the people in front of you when you preach. This may mean looking less at your notes and more at the crowd!

3. Wordsmith. Choosing the right word for the right moment is a developed skill. Words are not the only thing you communicate yet; they still have their importance. These can sometimes be called “tweetables” or “sticky statements.”

• Practice: Create rhymes with your main points, matching letters, or even rhythmic sentences. 
• Example: Classic quote from CS Lewis: Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. 

4. Variety. An effective preacher can vary the themes and styles of messages. Remember, you don’t always eat the same meal cooked the same way. Spiritual meals should be the same!

• Practice: Plan out a schedule of what you preach and the style of the message. Example: Note down the subject and determine if it will be an expository, topic, or textual message.

5. Vocal abilities. Not everyone has a radiophonic voice, and that’s ok if you don’t. Use your voice to its maximum capacity by changing its inflection and also changing the rhythm and tempo of your speech. Need more momentum? Speak faster and a little louder. Want people to ponder on the point? Talk softer, slow down and pause.

• Practice: Read your sermon aloud before you preach it. Record yourself and then listen to understand your tone and inflection.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

6. Comfortable: Good preachers are comfortable with their way of being. At first, you emulate before you create. In other words, you copy someone else’s style before growing into your own. Allow yourself to grow.

• Practice: Watch a few YouTube videos of different styles of communicators and imitate some of their talking styles. You will soon discover what you like…and dislike.

7. Authentic. A good communicator is who they are. Being fully devoted to Christ permits you to live in your identity.

• Practice: There is no easy one to this. It’s about spending time in His presence!

SPIRITUAL TRAITS

8. Caring. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15 NLT). A good pastor will always care for their people, like Jesus. A pastor wrote, “Do I have a tenderness for the people to whom I’m speaking?”.

• Practice: Invest time with your people. Listen to them. The more you know them, the more you’ll care for them.

9. Character. Who you are is way more important than what you can do; character must be valued more than charisma. In an age where scandals hit the church, “in all things presenting yourself as an example of good works: in doctrine showing integrity, gravity, incorruptibility” (Titus 2:7 MEV) sounds like a very good plan.

• Practice: Find a mentor who will help you with accountability.

10. Person of prayer: Dwight L. Moody said, “I’d rather be able to pray than be a great preacher. Jesus-Christ never taught his disciples how to preach but only how to pray”.

• Practice: Write a list of people you can pray for and pray for them. List character traits you can pray God instills in you.

11. Full of the Holy Spirit: When the church needed someone to lead the serving team, the candidates were to be “men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3 NLT). Good communicators let the Spirit of God fill them once again.

• Practice: “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you” 2 Timothy 1:14

12. Learner: Jesus reminds us that as teachers of the Kingdom, we must be able to take up in our “storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52 NIV).  Eloquent speakers become lifetime learners, using habitual practices as newfound ones. 

• Practice: Read a new book on communication and practice your newfound lessons.

13. Prepared: Like someone said, “Have I studied so I can preach well the message I am supposed to communicate?”. Lack of preparation brings confusion, and like Spurgeon said: “When there’s a haze in the pulpit, there’s a fog in the pew.”

• Practice: Give yourself 10 great hours of study for your next message.

14. Active: An effective preacher will always have a call to action, not only for the listeners but also for themselves. As we say, they walk the talk. The French proverb says, “the boots follow the lips.” Effective preachers live out what they preach. James 1:22 is a motto for them: “But be sure you live out the message and do not merely listen to it and so deceive yourselves.” (NET)

• Practice: Live out Nike: just do it. 

15. Authority: When Jesus taught the same principles, the Pharisees proclaimed, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29 ESV). It wasn’t about the volume of his voice nor the intensity of his tone; his authority came from an entire life of submission to God’s will and integrity.

• Practice: This authority in your preaching will come after living out all of the above!

A preacher is most effective when they are speaking in God’s strength and not their natural abilities. In order to be an impactful communicator, it will require professional, personal, and spiritual traits. It’s far more than just popularity or likeability. Put these things into practice, test them, measure the effectiveness, and watch as your communication abilities increase. Be committed to learning and growth, no matter what, and you will do well!