The reality we have to face is that we are not immune to such struggles.

In some churches those “in ministry” are expected to have it all together… so there may be nobody to talk to.

It gets mentioned in outreach planning. Preachers long to experience it through each new sermon. Reports on social media stir our longings.

We can preach about money after all, the Bible has a lot to say. But it is very awkward to talk about money for preachers.

Launching a series is an opportunity to invite people in and to invite people back in who might have drifted from regular attendance.

There is a struggle with temptation that is current and that is real.

There are some things that are preached with great life impact simply through clarity of explanation.

The preacher’s family life is real, whether you get to see the inner workings or not!

When a preacher helps them to see that this passage is relevant to their deepest needs, they will give it their full attention.

How can we know when instead of promoting the gospel in our context, we are merely reflecting the cultural and sub-cultural norms of our context? 

It hurts when people’s grievances seem to inevitably hit the most visible targets in the church, which tends to be those who lead and preach.

As a preacher, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the expectations of others.

Some churches get very upset if the preacher uses any humour in the pulpit. Other churches esteem humour above all else that comes from the pulpit.

20 suggestions for a better connection between preacher and listeners.

The heavenly hope was, for Peter, no “pie in the sky when we die” – it was a real and life defining certain expectation.

We need to listen well, watch carefully, pray diligently, and keep in mind that in pastoral care situations there will be multiplied factors at play.

The preacher speaks a message that is intensely personal, yet also expansively global in scope.

It is good to rethink the gospel presentations we use.

Most of the time most of us remain blissfully unaware of riches with which we have not yet engaged.

Both content and form speak of the divine heart beating on every page of the Bible.

If you are telling David’s story with Goliath, much better to have a stone in your hand than to be wearing authentic shepherding garb from 1000BC.

The fact of Jesus’ death for us is an objective truth that should grip us and reassure us. Was I wanted? Most definitely, yes. The cross has proven that!

Scars can be powerful preaching aids, but open wounds rarely are.

We are totally vulnerable before him, whether we know it or not, he knows us. 

For years I sat and heard messages that seemed to be targeted at someone else (and often that someone else was not there). What a wasted opportunity.