Standup Sermons? What Preachers Can Learn About Communication from Comedians
Introduction: No, I Don’t Mean “Add More Jokes” If you’re a preacher, you might have seen the title and assumed, “This guy is making a connection between comedy and the […]
A Case for Bible Words
Each culture develops its own language. This is true not only within ethnic cultures but within subcultures. Within the basketball culture there are words such as “cut,” “flare screen,” “zone,” […]
The Importance of Reading Scripture Out Loud
It is a fascinating fact of intellectual history that, in antiquity, reading was not the silent, solitary endeavor we assume today, but rather an event of the spoken word—aural, communal, […]
Preaching: The Importance of Context and Clarity
Middle school students have a way of humbling you. I was speaking at our student ministry’s midweek gathering and closed with a reference to the apostle Paul. Running short on […]
Why I Chose to Preach on Sexuality and Gender, Part 1
It is no secret that one of the most explosive topics of our day is sexuality and gender. For many decades, there has been a concerted effort to change the […]
How to Preach with Consistency? Q&A with Dr. Jason Poznich
*Editor’s Note: With the demands of ministry and Sunday morning around the corner, it can be tempting to cut important corners in sermon preparation. Sometimes, it’s easy to emphasize what […]
Revitalized Churches Pray, Preach, And Persist
I’ve wanted a Jeep Wrangler my entire life. In 2017, the stars seemed to align when I found the perfect Jeep and also stumbled across an argument that convinced my […]
Preaching Politics? 6 Thoughts from the Book of Daniel
“Did I hear you say that you’re preaching on politics?” “Yes, I’m looking forward to this series.” “Hmm. Good luck.” Scary, huh? There are two things that make for impolite […]
Preaching That Engages the Skeptic: What? (Part 2)
Skepticism about Christianity is on the rise. That’s why we need to engage the skeptic in our preaching. The skeptic isn’t just “out there”; he or she is sitting in […]
Preaching That Engages the Skeptic: Why (Part 1)
In Charade, a 1963 movie starring Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, dangerous thieves have been cheated out of their stolen money by a fellow thief. Apparently, they kill the thief […]
Preach to Reach
Earlier this spring, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop at the Exponential regional roundtable in Boise on “Preaching as Evangelism.” Honestly, I couldn’t have been more excited about […]
Preaching to Reach People Who Do Not Yet Trust and Follow Jesus
Editor’s Note: Vince is known in church planting and leadership circles and beyond for his activism in reaching lost people. He has served as lead pastor and planted two churches—the […]
Don’t Be a Preacher Running a 1994 Play in a 2024 World…
January 22, 2024 Dear Renew.org Network, The subtitle of this post could be: Don’t require teenagers in your church to have more courage than their preacher . . . . […]
Preaching: Drawing Lines to the Text within the Sermon
Anytime the preacher says, “Look again at verse 5. The word there means…,” the audience moves their attention to Scripture. They learn that in Bible Study, as in any other […]
Preaching: Creating a Sermon Plan
A few months before I retired, a newcomer stopped me in the lobby to chat. He wanted to know if we purchased our sermon series. For him, they all seemed […]
Preaching: Knowing the People We Live Among
In The 21st Century Pastor, David Fisher discusses when he moved from rural Goldendale, Washington, to historic Park Street Church in downtown Boston. The move forced him to acknowledge the […]
Preaching: Kingdom Advancement through Kingdom Values
Some might justifiably argue that this article should have preceded the previous one (“You’ll Never Know if You’ve Arrived if You Don’t Know Where You Are Going”). You might ask, […]
Preaching: You’ll Never Know if You’ve Arrived if You Don’t Know Where You’re Going
The first question I ask when teaching my Doctor of Ministry course is, “What do you want your congregation to look like in a year?” Followed by, “For what do […]
6 Ways to Teach Your Church Through Altar Calls
Close to a century ago, C.H. Dodd in his since-controversial The Apostolic Preaching and Its Developments argued for a distinction in the New Testament between the kerygma, the preaching of […]
Preaching and Cultural Issues?
We are living through rapid cultural change. Many are turning from historic Christianity. Many are adopting Marxist and intersectional feminist ideals which turn them cynical toward biblical teachings. Progressivism now […]
How to Use Preaching for Relational Discipleship
Preachers have unique opportunities to develop stronger disciples while also enhancing the quality of their preaching. It often feels as if we must choose between two essential activities in order […]
What Is Expository Preaching? What It Isn’t, What It Is, and Why It Matters
What is expository preaching? Rather than a particular method or style, expository preaching is a theological/philosophical approach to preaching which makes a text of Scripture central. Expository preaching builds from […]
How to Preach a Sermon Every Week
I remember sitting in church as a kid listening to my dad preach a sermon week after week. Over time, I worried that he would run out of material one […]
7 Reasons Some Preachers Avoid Politics in Sermons
Why do some preachers avoid politics in their preaching? Here’s a helpful list… 1. They aren’t very informed. They didn’t major in political science and have never held office. They […]
Why Storytelling is Important to the Life of a Christian
Christian Storytelling: Why It Matters for Faith Chime argues that storytelling is a constant part of human life, building connection, unlocking memory, and helping people make meaning. Scripture models God’s […]
How Does Jesus Call Us to Both Salvation and Discipleship?
Salvation and Discipleship: The Lifelong Invitation of Jesus Jesus defines salvation as a lifelong relationship, not merely a one-time event like baptism or forgiveness. Through healing and restoration, Christ reunites […]
How Do We Share the Gospel?
Sharing the Gospel: Witnessing to Jesus the Victorious King Obedience to Jesus requires sharing the gospel, even when culture resists through skepticism, narcissism, and false tolerance. Witness includes both history […]
When You Face Criticism in Ministry
Criticism In Ministry and Wise Leadership Responses Identify the difference between helpful critique and a critical attitude using Jethro’s counsel and the spies’ negativity. Evaluate negative feedback through biblical wisdom […]
The Life and Legacy of One Kingdom Worker
One Kingdom Worker and the Legacy of Quiet Faithfulness Vince’s story begins with simple confusion about entering church, but Scripture and a welcoming community led him to Jesus and ministry. […]
Disciple Making Author Q&A – Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Disciple Making Q&A Perspectives on the Church’s Mission Bobby and Scott explain that disciple making is the core mission of the church, grounded in Jesus’ model of intentional relational formation. […]
Stop Comparing Your Church: Why Contextualization, Missiology, and Authenticity Matters
Contextualization in Your God Given Church Setting Contextualization counters comparison. When pastors are tempted to measure their ministry against other churches’ highlight reels, remembering their own unique context protects them […]
The Secret to Telling the World a Better Story
Telling the World with Better Stories Telling the world a better story begins by recognizing that God has already given the church the richest stories in Scripture. By using a […]
What Sets Jesus Apart?
What Sets Jesus Apart – The Hope of His Resurrection Resurrection makes Jesus utterly unique. Unlike any other religious figure, He passes through death into a new kind of life, […]
Come to the Bible with Questions – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Bible with Questions — Practicing Sound Interpretation Start by examining context (before/after), genre, and language so a passage’s meaning isn’t lifted out of its setting. Recognize historical, linguistic, and cultural […]
Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends for Disciple Makers
Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends — Priorities for Disciple Makers Clarify definitions and mission, making disciple making the core focus while moving beyond Sunday-only to a seven-day relational approach with phygital […]
What’s So Important about Context? – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Context — Handling Scripture With Integrity Rightly handling the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) guards us from bending verses to our will and keeps God’s will central. Examples like Ephesians 2:8, […]
Disciple Making Shift #4 – From Teaching Information to Teaching Obedience
Disciple Making Shift #4: Training for Obedience Obedience over information. Jesus commands us to teach obedience (Matt. 28:20), turning truth into lived practice. Use “I will” statements. Specific, measurable actions […]
Church, It’s Time to Bring Back Apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships that Shape Ministry Readiness Rooted in Scripture, Apprenticeships mirror Jesus with the Twelve, Moses and Joshua, and Paul with Timothy to form leaders through life-on-life mentoring. Beyond classrooms, they […]
Church Leader, We Are So Thankful for You
Church Leader — Encouragement for Uncertain Times Through conflict, elections, and a pandemic, you pursued unity, protected the vulnerable, and kept people connected while trusting God. Scripture-shaped leadership preached truth, […]
The Authentic Experience Church Model with Corey Trimble
Corey Trimble — Authentic Church Culture & Disciple Making Expository teaching anchors culture, welcoming seekers while holding firm to Scripture. Leaders practice incarnational outreach, building real bridges with grace and […]
On Gender and the Bible: One Church’s Real-World Fight (Part 8)
One Church Real-World Fight and Biblical Transformation Building a culture rooted in Scripture, One Church’s Real-World Fight recounts how obedience reshaped leadership and deepened faith. Through consistent discipleship and prayerful […]
On Gender and the Bible: Does God Allow Women Preachers in 1 Timothy 2? (Part 4)
Does God Allow Women Preachers in 1 Timothy 2 – Context & Teaching Drawing from 1 Timothy 2:11–15, the article argues that Paul grounds instructions in creation order and aims […]
Promise Keepers: The Night We Encouraged Our Pastors
Pastors — Honoring Our Shepherds From the 1994 Promise Keepers ovation, public appreciation lifted weary hearts and affirmed the weight pastors carry. Many ministers rarely hear thanks, revealing the need […]
Changing Times: Part 3 of a Conversation with Bob Russell
Part 3 of a Conversation with Bob Russell on Faithful Leadership Facing shifting cultural views, Russell urges thick skin with soft hearts, resisting the drift to “shout grace and whisper […]
Ditches to Avoid – Part 2 of a Conversation with Bob Russell
Ditches to Avoid and Guardrails for Leadership Preaching through Scripture steadies congregations as elders shield ministers from political flashpoints and help keep Jesus central. Differentiating principles from methods frees churches […]
Some of your Best Ministry Is Just Being There
Best Ministry in Faithful Presence Through a preacher’s steady presence, life moments—baptism, ballgames, camp, and funerals—became genuine pastoral care. Remembering years later, people cherish leaders who show up, listen, and […]
Lessons from the Church in Kenya: Spirit-Led Leadership
Spirit-Led Leadership — Practical Ministry Habits Walking in the Spirit—not human strength—empowers obedience to Jesus and bold witness (Acts 1:8). When busyness dulls dependence, pause to repent and ask the […]
Communing with the Church, from My Kitchen
Communing with the Church in Everyday Life Communing with the Church transcends distance, as taking communion at home during Easter revealed unity with believers around the world. Personal reflection deepens […]
A Call to Pastors: Don’t Run
Call to Pastors in Times of Crisis and Leadership Call to Pastors highlights the need for shepherds who stay faithful and courageous when fear and suffering threaten the flock. The […]
Virtual Services – 10 Tips for Highest Impact
10 Tips for Highest Impact in Virtual Ministry Spread the word effectively by directing members to online services, updating calendars, and ensuring visitors know how to join virtually. Use strong […]
Bridge the Gap
Bridge the Gap: How Faithful Preaching Connects a Changing World Bridge the Gap calls Christian leaders to remain faithful to Scripture while building relational bridges in a culture drifting from […]
Why Do So Many Ministers Drop Out of Ministry? How We Can Help
Why Do So Many Ministers Drop Out of Ministry — Action the Church Can Take Parents are urged to give their best to God by encouraging gifted sons and daughters […]