Sermon Helps Featured Articles Archives

• The Theology of Sermon Design  (September 1, 2007)
  Current homiletic approaches did not materialize in a vacuum. Their ascendancy to popularity did not just happen. Today at least three winds of influence swirl around contemporary homiletic discussion: theology, literary criticism and culture. Pastors who would think deeply about the form of their sermons and who care about faithfulness to the gospel must wrestle with the issues raised by each of these areas of thought.
• What to Say...When You've Said It All  (March 1, 2007)
  How does one approach the final sermons in a church before resignation? After having to deal with this challenge a few times, let me make a few observations.
• The Biggest Differences in Sermons and Delivery in the Past 20 Years  (March 20, 2012)
  Here are five visible changes in sermons and sermon delivery we have observed over the past two decades.
• The Challenges We Face: A New Generation of Gospel Ministers Looks to the Future  (March 14, 2012)
  Will this generation of gospel ministers finish the race? It will require gospel faithfulness at every turn.
• Where Have All the Bold Pastors Gone?  (March 12, 2012)
  During this election season, religion has come up many times. But for the most part, we haven?t heard from many pastors.
• Preaching God?s Grace: An Interview with Tullian Tchividjian  (February 15, 2012)
  Sometimes God takes us out of comfort zones and allows us to be sifted because He loves us.
• Protecting Pastors from Burnout  (March 5, 2012)
  Studies have shown that many pastors and church staff are burning out. The current state is taking its toll.
• How to Move On After an Abusive Church Experience  (January 25, 2012)
  With God's help, you can leave behind the painful memories of difficult church experience.
• Transmitting the Word: An Interview with John Piper on Consistency and Community  (February 15, 2012)
  Pointers from John Piper on approaching the Bible
• Catch-and-Release Preaching  (December 12, 2011)
  Are there similarities between fishing and preaching? Jesus thought so, but He wasn't talking about catch-and-releast fishing.
• The Gospel in an Abortion Culture  (January 23, 2012)
  What we often forget is the second casualty of an abortion culture: the consciences of countless men and women.
• Ten Books Pastors Should Read in 2012  (January 11, 2012)
  So many books, so little time. If you're wondering where you should focus your time this year, here's the short list.
• Ten Temptations of a Leader  (December 30, 2011)
  Every time we fall into one of the temptations, we end up short-circuiting our purpose, sinning against God, harming others, and deceiving ourselves into thinking we are doing well.
• Pastoral Infidelity: Problems and Solutions  (December 26, 2011)
  When a pastor falls into sin, especially sexual sin, the ripple effect on the lives of others is often immeasurable.
• Sharing the Gospel with Family and Friends at Holiday Gatherings (video)  (December 23, 2010)
  The holiday season is a great time to share the gospel with family and friends. In this brief video, author Mark Mittelberg offers practical and biblical counsel on how to discuss spiritual matters without being defensive or fearful.
• Simple Ways to Help Hurting Families this Christmas  (December 13, 2005)
  Is someone in your congregation experiencing a difficult Christmas? You can offer comfort and encouragement this season by reaching out with these sweet remembrances.
• Preaching Through Their Defenses: An Interview with John Ortberg  (August 28, 2008)
  "I will try any vehicles I can think of to get folk's attention... I try to find ways visually, try to find stories, try to have people tell stories, playing out the contrast."
• Preaching Points: Is There Life After a Pulpit Blooper?  (November 15, 2011)
  It is inevitable in a lifetime of preaching that we shall all make mistakes in our preaching.
• Five Keys to Overcoming Negativity  (November 1, 2011)
  Some of us wake up with an attitude of gratitude. Yet others wake up with dread, worry, or a to-do list that intimidates the world?s most organized woman.
• The Risks and Rewards of Mentioning Those Parts of the Old Testament  (July 15, 2011)
  What's it like to preach on the morally problematic passages of the Old Testament in connection with modern, Christian faith?