Preachers Talk - A podcast by 9Marks & The Charles Simeon Trust
Preachers' Talk is a podcast for preachers and all those who love preaching, created by a partnership between Simeon Trust and 9Marks. It offers insights and discussions on the art and practice of preaching. The podcast aims to equip and encourage those who preach God's Word. It is produced by 9Marks, a ministry focused on church health.
Episodes
On Specific Audiences (Ep. 106)
How is preaching to a very specific audience (youth group, prisoners, etc.) differ from a Sunday morning? How does one preach well in these settings? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy speak from personal experience to help the preacher do the best they can.
On One-Off Sermons (Ep. 105)
When should a pastor break into a series to do a one-off sermon? What kinds of things need to be kept in mind to help determine if it should be done? What does one need to keep in mind when doing a one-off sermon? Listen in as Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss.
On Preacher's Mailbag #9 (Ep. 104)
Jeremy dives into the mailbag once again to ask listener submitted questions to Ed and Dave.
On the Tone of the Text (Ep. 103)
What should the preacher do with the tone of the text? How does the distinction in the audience affect the sermon? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy discuss this important topic.
On Learning to Preach the Bible from the Bible #1 (Ep. 102)
Dave, Ed, and Jeremy begin an occasional series sharing things they are learning about preaching the Bible from the Bible itself.
On Humility in Preaching (Ep. 101)
Why is humility important in preaching? How does a preacher cultivate humility? Why do some texts demand more humility than others? Listen in as Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss.
On 25 years of the Simeon Trust (Ep. 100)
Where did the Simeon Trust come from? Why does it exist? Where is it headed? Listen in as Dave, Ed, and Jeremy reminisce and thank God together for what he has done.We’d love to hear from you! Let us know what topics you’d like us to cover on the podcast—send your ideas to feedback@preacherstalk.org. We’ll select one person to receive a bundle of preaching resources from 9Marks and Simeon Trust.
On Using Analogies As Illustrations (Ep. 99)
Using illustrations is often challenging or overly alluring for the preacher. How can analogies help the preacher use compact and powerful illustrations? How does the Bible use analogies?Listen in as Dave and Jeremy are joined by Kevin Walker.
On Secondary Resources in Preaching (Ep. 98)
The Bible is a fascinating, ancient document. What is the utility of secondary literature to understand the text? How can the preacher best utilize it in preaching?Dave and Jeremy sit down with Scott Hafemann to discuss.
On Preaching for Repentance (Ep. 97)
Preachers need to be aimed at far more than information distribution. How does one preach with the goal of repentance? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy wrestle with the challenge.
On Preaching Broadly (Ep. 96)
How does a preacher speak to the whole audience in ways that go deep without losing people and broad without being boring?Ed, Dave, and Jeremy give some insights.
On Using Your Voice (Ep. 95)
It can be a challenge to know how to speak naturally in the pulpit. How can a preacher grow in the maintenance and use of their voice? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy talk from personal experience.
Preachers Mailbag #8 (Ep. 94)
Jeremy dives back into the mailbag to ask listener questions to Ed and Dave about preaching.
On Humor in Preaching (Ep. 93)
Is humor ever appropriate in preaching? If so, what are some principles to keep in mind as we utilize it? Hear Dave, Ed, and Jeremy, who have very different personalities, discuss.
On The Systematic Theology of the Father (Ep. 92)
How does the doctrine of God help in preaching texts? How do we say what we should without saying to little or too much in a sermon?Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss, providing examples from their own work.
On Simplicity (Ep. 91)
Why is simplicity in preaching important? Who benefits? How do we strive for it without being simplistic? Kevin Walker joins Ed and Jeremy to discuss.
On Creativity (Ep. 90)
Should a preacher seek to be creative? How might such an attempt go wrong? Ed, Dave, and Jeremy revel in the creativity of the Bible and what it has to teach us about our own use of creativity with words.Mentioned ResourcesJohn Claude’s Essay on the Composition of a SermonHerman Bavinck’s On Preaching and Preachers
On Using Systematic Theology in Preaching (Ep. 89)
How does one utilize systematic theology in exposition well? What are the benefits of attempting such a thing? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy begin a mini-series on the use of systematic theology in preaching.
On Topical Preaching (Ep. 88)
There seem to be moments that demand a topical sermon. What are they? How can a topical sermon be done well? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy discuss and provide examples.
On Preaching to the Heart (Ep. 87)
Engaging the emotions and the will can be tricky. Should we do such a thing in preaching? How do we do so well? Listen in as Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss.Topics Discussed(00:06) - Preaching to the Heart(06:24) - The Head vs the Heart in Preaching. Is There Room for Both?(18:01) - The Role of Emotions in Preaching(29:24) - Aligning Our Emotions with the Word When the Topic or Text Encites EmotionRe
On Preaching Memorable Sermons (Ep. 86)
Every preacher has a sermon or two that sticks out in their mind from a fellow preacher. What makes a sermon memorable? How do we thread the needle between wanting to be memorable and legitimately helping our people remember what they were taught?Ed, Dave, and Jeremy try to figure it out.
On Precision in Application (Ep. 85)
It is easy to float away from the text and talk about the same things every week. We should apply sermons, but how? How do we do application without getting sidetracked? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy discuss.
On Training Preachers in Asia (Ep. 84)
What is going on in Asia these days when it comes to training preachers? What are the challenges and encouragements? Darrell Young, the Simeon Trust's man in Asia, joins Dave and Jeremy to discuss. Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.
Preacher Mailbag #7 (Ep. 83)
How should pastors listen to preaching without getting distracted or overly critical? Should kids ever not be present in a sermon, given the content? As for personal illustrations, is it ever ok to be the hero? Dave and Ed take listener-submitted questions from Jeremy.Subscribe to our new podcast, A Storm in the Desert.
On Short Bible Talks (Ep. 82)
Preachers often have opportunities to give short talks at events from the bible. What is the preacher to do in such situations? What are the challenges? And how can these talks improve our regular preaching? Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss.
On Preaching in Cross-Cultural Contexts (Ep. 81)
How does one preach cross-culturally? What even counts as cross-cultural? On this episode, Ed and Jeremy sit down with Walter Carter III to discuss the benefits and challenges of preaching outside one's regular pulpit ministry.
On Wielding the Gospel Well (Ep. 80)
What is the preacher supposed to do with the gospel in a sermon? How can they use it to further the point of the text and not ruin it? Ed, Dave, and Jeremy take up these questions and give examples from their own pulpit work.
On Preaching Short Passages (Ep. 79)
How does one go about preaching short texts? Why would a preacher consider doing so? Listen in as Dave, Ed, and Jeremy discuss these questions and more.
On Beginning a New Preaching Role (Ep. 78)
How should a seasoned preacher approach a new preaching role? What does pastoral wisdom look like in such a position? Ed, Dave, and Jeremy draw on their own successes and failures to answer these important kinds of questions.
On Re-preaching Sermons (Ep. 77)
Can a preacher re-preach a sermon? If so, where and when? What might the benefits and pitfalls be of such a practice? Listen in as Dave, Ed, and Jeremy talk it out.
On Obedient Playfulness (Ep. 76)
What do we do with the strange, gross, and just plain weird parts of the bible? Why is playfulness an important element in the preacher's pursuit of faithfulness to the text?Listen in as Ed, Dave, and Jeremy revel in the need for obedience and playfulness in preaching.
On Preaching the Main Point (Ep. 75)
What does one do once they have gotten to the heart of the text? How does one effectively wield the main point of a passage?This week Dave, Ed, and Jeremy tackle these important challenges.
Preacher Mailbag #6 (Preachers Talk, Ep. 74)
Just how much of the text should a preacher read before he preaches it? What about rereading while you preach? And how do you deal with a text that has multiple popular interpretations? These are just a few of the questions Jeremy found in the mailbag to discuss with Ed and Dave
On Preaching Apocalyptic Literature (Preachers Talk, Ep. 73)
There is no denying it, preaching apocalyptic literature is tough, so why should we do it? What are the unique benefits and challenges to preaching it well?In this episode Dave, Ed, and Jeremy discuss this important genre of literature.
On Life and the Pulpit (Preachers Talk, Ep. 72)
Every pastor lives the majority of life outside the pulpit. How does it affect the preacher? How does the preacher embrace the moment they are in without it dominate the preaching? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy wrestle with the tension between life and the pulpit.
On Preaching Epistles (Preachers Talk, Ep. 71)
Most of us who were trained in preaching were trained to preach Epistles. What are the challenges of preaching them? Why is preaching them beneficial for the church? Hear Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss this beloved section of Scripture
On PhDs and Preaching, with Robert Kinney (Preachers Talk, Ep. 70)
Does a preacher need a PhD? What are the benefits...and substantial challenges to getting one? Dave and Jeremy are joined by Robert Kinney to discuss this important topic.
On Preaching Long Passages (Preachers Talk, Ep. 69)
How should a preacher go about preaching long passages? Why should anyone do so in the first place? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy have a short conversation on long texts.
On Preaching Gospels/Acts (Preachers Talk, Ep. 68)
What makes Gospels/Acts so interesting and yet so challenging to preach? How can the preacher preach them well? Ed, Dave, and Jeremy answer these kinds of questions, providing examples from their own preaching.
On Preaching Amidst Church Conflict (Preachers Talk, Ep. 67)
How does a preacher do his job well when he knows there is strife in the congregation? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy tackle this difficult topic, giving insight into what to do...and what to avoid.
Preacher Mailbag #5 (Preachers Talk, Ep. 66)
Should there be a primary preacher in a pulpit or is team teaching ideal? How do you preach when you just don't feel like it? These questions, and many more, are pulled out of the mail bag and tossed around between Ed Copeland, Dave Helm, and Jeremy Meeks.
On Preaching Wisdom Literature (Preachers Talk, Ep. 65)
Wisdom is intensely practical, and yet also intensely difficult to preach sometimes. How can a preacher do it well? Why should we preach it in the first place?Listen in as Dave Helm, Ed Copeland, and Jeremy Meeks wrestle with an often neglected area of literature.
On Clarity, with Robert Kinney (Preachers Talk, Ep. 64)
Why is clarity important in preaching? What leads to a lack of clarity and how can the preacher strive for it? Listen in as Dave Helm and Jeremy Meeks discuss the issue with Robert Kinney.
On Preaching in Diverse International Contexts, with John Folmar (Preachers Talk, Ep. 63)
Preaching is never easy, but the diversity of one's audience can make it a particular challenge...and joy. John Folmar joins Dave and Jeremy to discuss preaching and training others to do the same in Dubai.
On Adornment, with Robert Kinney (Preachers Talk, Ep. 62)
What does it mean to make our sermons pleasing and moving? Should we do that in the first place? If so, why? Robert Kinney joins Dave and Jeremy as they wrestle with some of the artistic elements of persuasion.
On Preaching as Pastoral Ministry, with Mark Dever (Preachers Talk, Ep. 61)
Preachers Talk is back! In this episode, Dave and Jeremy are joined by a special guest, Mark Dever.
On Preaching Prophets (Preachers Talk, Ep. 60)
It's not uncommon for a pastor's preaching schedule to linger on the Gospels and epistles and look past the major and minor prophets. In this episode of Preachers Talk, Jeremy chats with Dave and Ed about why they love preaching prophetic literature—and why your pastor should, too.
On Weddings (Preachers Talk, Ep. 59)
Weddings are wonderful celebrations, but the preaching at a wedding can be a challenging affair. How does one choose a text? How should the preacher approach the moment? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy draw from long experience to help preach well at a wedding.
On Training Preachers, with Michael Lawrence (Preachers Talk, Ep. 58)
Is it even possible to train preachers? If so, why is going to seminary only helpful but insufficient?In this episode of Preachers Talk, Dave and Jeremy discuss all this and more with their guest Michael Lawrence.
On Preaching Old Testament History (Preachers Talk, Ep. 57)
Many people love bible stories, but preachers can be reluctant to preach them. Why are they challenging and why should preachers take up the challenge? Listen in as Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss preaching Old Testament History and share examples from their own pulpit work.
On Funerals (Preachers Talk, Ep. 56)
How do you determine what to preach in the challenging, unique, and evangelistically-loaded moment of a funeral? Dave, Ed, and Jeremy share their wisdom on how to be sensitive to God's word and the moment in a way that serves all who hear.
Preacher Mailbag #4 (Preachers Talk, Ep. 55)
How should a preacher deal with people talking about football rather than the sermon after church? Just how artful should sermons be anyways? Jeremy digs into the mailbag once again to fire your questions at Ed and Dave.
On AI and Preaching (Preachers Talk, Ep. 54)
If AI could write a sermon for you, should you let it? What if it wrote one better than you could? Listen in as Dave, Ed, and Jeremy figure out how AI can be utilized in preaching...and why we should avoid it.
On Avoiding Boredom (Preachers Talk, Ep. 53)
In this episode of Preachers Talk, the hosts discuss on avoiding boredom
On Text Size Selection (Preachers Talk, Ep. 52)
Should we preach books fast or slow? Listen to Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss the benefits and dangers of the extremes while seeking to free the preacher from the burdens of thinking there is a perfect way to divide preaching units.
On Audience (Preachers Talk, Ep. 51)
How should the preacher take the audience into consideration as he prepares his sermon?Hear Ed, Dave, and Jeremy wrestle with the joys and complexities of preaching with one's particular audience in mind.
On Biblical Context (Preachers Talk, Ep. 50)
On Homiletical Structure (Preachers Talk, Ep. 49)
On Cultural Context (Preachers Talk, Ep. 48)
On Preaching During the Holidays (Preachers Talk, Ep. 47)
On Historical Context (Preachers Talk, Ep. 46)
On Engaging the Listener | Preachers Talk, Ep. 45
On Literary Context | Preachers Talk, Ep. 44
On Preachers Mailbag #3 | Preachers Talk, Ep 43
On Cultural Relevance | Preachers Talk, Ep. 42
On Exposition for All (with Mervyn Eloff) | Preachers Talk, Ep. 41
On Beginning Well | Preachers Talk, Ep. 40
On Preaching Discourse | Preachers Talk, Ep. 39
On Preaching Hard Texts | Preachers Talk, Ep. 38
On Preaching Poetry | Preachers Talk, Ep. 37
Poetry takes up a significant amount of Scripture. It can be of great help to the hearer and a gift to the preacher. This week Ed, Dave, and Jeremy explain why poetry is so useful and how they preach it.
On Effective Illustration | Preachers Talk, Ep. 36
What are illustrations for? How can preachers use them to good effect in their preaching? In this episode Dave, Ed, and Jeremy seek to answer these questions and more while giving examples from their own work.
On Preaching Narrative | Preachers Talk, Ep. 35
Everyone love stories. The Bible is full of stories. In this episode of Preachers Talk, Jeremy Meeks chats with Dave Helm and Ed Copeland about how to preach the Bible’s narratives well.
On Training Women for Exposition (with Colleen McFadden) | Preachers Talk, Ep. 34
This week, Jeremy and Dave sit down with Colleen McFadden to discuss how to train women to teach the Bible in complementarian settings.
On Introductions | Preachers Talk, Ep. 33
Every preacher begins a sermon, but most could begin them better. On this episode Ed, Dave, and Jeremy discuss what should be in our introductions and why.
On Getting Started Late | Preachers Talk, Ep. 32
Is preaching just a "young man's game"? On this episode Jeremy, Ed, and Dave consider the benefits to older preachers, both those who start late and those who have been at it for a while.
On Application (with Michael Lawrence) | Preachers Talk, Ep. 31
Every pastor knows they should apply the text. How should we do it well? How can we do it better?
Preacher's Talk Mailbag #2
In this episode Jeremy goes through the mailbag, asking a wide variety of questions submitted by listeners to Dave and Ed.
On Concession and Refutation | Preachers Talk, Ep. 29
Sermon listeners have objections to what preachers say, believer and unbeliever alike. Dave, Ed, and Jeremy answer the question - What should and can the preacher do in order to name and navigate these objections?
On Argument | Preachers Talk, Ep. 28
What is it the preacher is trying to do when he preaches? David Helm, Ed Copeland, and Jeremy Meeks discuss the vital task of making an argument in preaching. They tackle what it is and how they go about doing it in their own work.
On Pride vs. Contempt of Praise (with Mike Bullmore) | Preachers Talk, Ep. 27
How do we pursue humility while we also pursue excellence in preaching? On this episode Dave Helm and Jeremy Meeks sit down with Mike Bullmore to wrestle with the task of preaching without pride.
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