Preaching Through Podcast
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.
Episodes
54 episodes
Preaching Through Seven Deadly Sins
What if one of your most spiritually formative sermon series was also one of your most attractional?Pride, lust, greed, envy, sloth, wrath, gluttony — these aren't just ancient categories or Roman Catholic relics. They're principal vices...
Preaching Through Stagnation
What do you do when you've done everything you know to do—and it's just not working? When attendance is flat, baptisms are sparse, giving fluctuates week to week, and you can't point to any clear sign that God is actually moving? Or worse: what...
Preaching Through Long Texts
What do you do when your passage is four chapters long—or when one chapter has five completely different stories?The temptation is to cover everything. Hit every verse. Explain every detail. But that's not how compelling preaching works....
Preaching Through A Capital Campaign
What if the secret to a successful capital campaign has almost nothing to do with fundraising?New buildings don't fix stagnant churches. If God isn't already stirring something, more square footage won't change that. That's why the most ...
Preaching Through Efficient Sermon Prep
How many hours did you spend on sermon prep this week? If the answer is "more than I needed to" or "more than I thought I would" you're not alone.. But here's what matters: did those extra hours actually make your sermon that much better? Or di...
Preaching Through Argumentation
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...
Preaching Through Contextual Dynamics
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 ada...
Preaching Through Yawns and Snoring
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. T...
Preaching Through An Annual Theme
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...
Preaching Through Busyness of Ministry
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 sch...
Preaching Through A Manuscript
Manuscripting sermons is a practice that divides preachers, but when done intentionally, it can become a powerful tool for ministry. The benefits might be more significant than many preachers would imagine.In this episode of Preaching Th...
Preaching Through Gender & Sexuality
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 sexual...
Preaching Through Countercultural Convictions
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-wee...
Preaching Through Vulnerability
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, ...
Preaching Through Judges
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 c...
Preaching Through A Teaching Team
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.
Preaching Through Efficient Sermon Prep
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 w...
Preaching Through Revelation
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 ex...
Preaching Through Vocal Dynamics & Body Language
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 re...
Preaching Through Feedback
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, ...
Preaching Through Application
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 a...
Sabbaticals for Pastors
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, ...
Preaching Through Crisis & Opportunity
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...
How to Shorten Your Sermon Length and Preaching Time
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 c...
Preaching Through Sermon Illustrations
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 shin...