Claim OwnershipPreaching Through Podcast
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Preaching can feel isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. The Preaching Through Podcast offers pastors and ministry leaders a seat at the table where honest, insightful conversations happen about the challenges and joys of preaching in the 21st century. Hosts Dave Shrein and Luke Simmons, alongside special guests, tackle the unique pressures of sermon preparation, the art of clear communication, and the spiritual responsibility of leading a congregation. Whether discussing how to preach through complex biblical books, navigate countercultural topics, or refine practical skills like introductions and illustrations, this podcast provides wisdom, encouragement, and actionable takeaways. Join a community of pastors committed to preaching Jesus faithfully and fruitfully in a rapidly changing world.
49 Episodes
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Send us a text When's the last time you convinced your kid to take a shower by just telling them they should? Exactly. So why do we expect people to deny themselves and follow Jesus just because we said so? Here's the distinction that changes everything: Asserting truth assumes people are ready to receive it. Arguing truth assumes they're not, and you have to convince them. Every sermon happens on contested ground. The world, the flesh, and the devil are whispering "Did God really say?" befor...
Send us a text Do you ever preach something that lands perfectly at one service and completely misses at the next? Same message. Same words. Totally different response. That's the reality of contextual dynamics. This is the often-overlooked skill of adapting your preaching to connect with the actual people in the room. This episode explores the tension every preacher faces: How do you meet people where they are without sacrificing biblical truth? Over-contextualize and you adopt t...
Send us a text Ever looked out at your congregation mid-sermon and seen glazed eyes, heads nodding, or worse... someone scrolling their phone? If you're preaching with any regularity, you've been there. The questions isn't whether people will lose interest. The question is: what are you going to do about it? Here is the distinction that changes everything: Teaching assumes people are interested. Preaching assumes they are not, and it is your responsibility to make them interested. You c...
Send us a text What if every sermon you preached this year connected to a single, cohesive theme? Not a year-long sermon series, but a unifying thread that brings focus, energy, and missional clarity to your entire teaching calendar — and leaks into your church? An annual preaching theme isn't a rally cry or a vision statement — it's a sort of discipleship framework that shapes how your congregation thinks about a particular aspect of the Christian life and in this episode we discuss one...
Send us a text Every pastor knows Sunday comes with relentless regularity. But what happens when ministry busyness threatens your ability to prepare well? One of the most universal challenges facing lead pastors is learning to preach effectively when your schedule is completely overwhelmed. Not all busyness is the same. There's strategic busyness, circumstantial busyness, and 'how did I get here?' busyness. No matter what type of busyness you're currently navigating, there are five critical a...
Send us a text The intersection of faith and sexuality remains one of the most challenging conversations in modern Christianity. While some argue the church is overly focused on these issues, the reality is that God's design for gender and sexuality appears on the very first pages of Scripture. But what does the Bible actually teach about these vital topics? In this episode of Preaching Through Podcast, we explore the biblical foundations of gender and sexuality, diving into crucial ...
Send us a text Is controversy something to avoid in the pulpit? Not necessarily. In a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth, pastors must learn to navigate countercultural convictions with both grace and clarity. This episode unpacks a seven-week series addressing core Christian beliefs that challenge modern cultural assumptions. The series covers seven key countercultural convictions: Love - Redefining biblical love as self-sacrifice rather than self-fulfillmentJesus - Affirming His ...
Send us a text Not all vulnerability from the pulpit serves the same purpose - while some builds authentic connections, other forms can subtly manipulate or damage pastoral relationships. For pastors seeking to be genuine without crossing crucial boundaries, knowing the difference is essential. When does vulnerability cross the line from helpful to harmful? In this episode of Preaching Through Podcast, we explore the delicate balance of pastoral vulnerability, examining both its potential b...
Send us a text The Book of Judges might seem like an unlikely candidate for a powerful sermon series, but within its ancient pages lies a mirror reflecting our modern struggle with faith, leadership, and moral direction. While some may shy away from its raw content and challenging narratives, this biblical text offers profound insights into human nature and God's unwavering faithfulness. But what makes Judges uniquely relevant for today's church? In this episode of Preaching Through Podcast...
Send us a text Building an effective preaching team is more complex than simply sharing the Sunday morning workload. It's about developing multiple voices, creating cohesive messages, and strategically investing in the next generation of communicators. But how do you build a preaching team that maintains quality while developing new voices? The answer requires careful consideration and intentional planning. In this episode of Preaching Through Podcast, we explore the essential elements of c...
Send us a text Efficient sermon preparation is crucial for pastors, but it's often a struggle to balance thorough study with time constraints. This episode of Preaching Through Podcast dives into practical strategies for streamlining the sermon prep process without sacrificing quality. Key topics covered include: The importance of developing a systematic approach to sermon preparationCreating a schedule that protects dedicated prep timeUtilizing tools and resources to enhance efficiencyLever...
Send us a text Preaching through the book of Revelation can be both challenging and rewarding. While the imagery and symbolism may seem daunting, the core message is clear and relevant for today's believers. This episode of Preaching Through Podcast explores key insights and takeaways from tackling this often misunderstood book of the Bible: Revelation is both an attractional and discipleship series, drawing in curious seekers while deepening the faith of believers. It teaches people how to...
Send us a text Vocal dynamics and body language are crucial elements of effective preaching that often go overlooked. While the Holy Spirit is ultimately responsible for conviction, these communication tools help keep listeners engaged so they can hear and receive the message. This episode dives into practical tips for improving vocal dynamics and body language, drawing from content used in the Preaching Lab: Using different "gears" of vocal delivery, from quiet and tender (first gear) to urg...
Send us a text Feedback can be a valuable tool for preachers who want to refine their craft and continually improve their sermons, but the reality is, many pastors aren’t receiving it. Why is that? In this episode of Preaching Through Podcast, we unpack the critical role of feedback for preachers and address common barriers that keep pastors from seeking or receiving meaningful feedback. We explore the different kinds of feedback—before the sermon, between services, and after the fact—and how...
Send us a text Application in preaching goes beyond just explaining what a biblical passage means - it explores why it matters for people's lives today. While some argue the Holy Spirit alone should apply God's Word, Scripture shows God often uses preachers as a means of grace to help people understand how to obey and live out biblical truth. Effective application avoids common pitfalls like legalism, moralism, or shaming. Instead, it invites people to see how the gospel empowers obedience. P...
Send us a text A sabbatical can be a game-changer for high capacity, high vision lead pastors, offering an opportunity for deep rest and renewal. Those who have the chance to take one often find it to be an invaluable investment in their short-term ministry, long-term ministry, and overall spiritual well-being. But do lead pastors deserve a sabbatical? The answer might surprise you. In this episode of Preaching Through Podcast we dive deep into the most pressing and frequently asked questio...
Send us a text Mars Hill planted a location in Phoenix, Arizona. Six months later the church collapsed. Instead of shutting down the church and returning home, Tim Birdwell launched a new church the very next Sunday. Not only did Tim transition from preaching occasionally to every week, he was following in the footsteps of a leader who built a large movement on the back of his communication skills. Several years after Phoenix Bible Church established itself as its own unique congregation, t...
Send us a text Are you struggling to keep your sermons concise yet powerful? Preaching is an art form that you can improve in over time and the practice of shaving down your sermon lengths while striving to maintain impact is a discipline that will help you continue to preach with a punch over the long-haul. Maintaining audience engagement, effortless transition into response time, and integrating the sermon better with the overall flow of the service is often an overflow of a sermon that is...
Send us a text Sermon illustrations are vital for making biblical truths come alive in a way that will stick with listeners over the long-haul. Yet, illustration ideas is an ongoing struggle for many preachers. Uncovering an illustration that effectively shines a light on the text and seasons the message is not just a key discipline of message prep, but it is an art form. If all an illustration was good for was to help make key truths real, tangible, and applicable to modern life, it would b...
Send us a text A killer introduction is critical for getting people to not just listen to your sermon... but actually care about the message you're about to share. A rookie preacher can captivate attention with a strong introduction as easily as a veteran preacher can lose people without a thoughtful and thought provoking introduction. In this episode, we listen to and analyze examples of five different types of introductions, from incorporating humor to asking engaging questions. We'll also ...
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