Are you a textual preacher or a topical preacher? We asked preachers to describe their preaching in one phrase, and the answers split almost exactly down the middle: "Let's see what this text says" vs. "Let's explore this important topic."

On this episode of Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ, Dale Jenkins (The Jenkins Institute) and Dr. Michael Jackson (President, Heritage Christian University) dig into preaching styles: where the survey came from, the generational trend behind the split (older preachers leaning topical, younger preachers leaning textual and expository), and why Fred Craddock said "the worst kind of preaching is the same kind of preaching."

They also cover:

How mentors and favorite preachers shape your style

How topical preachers can keep every verse in context

Why "creating content" can pull a sermon away from the text

How to keep growing as a preacher, at any age

The feedback that energizes preachers most, and the danger hiding in it

Whether you preach every Sunday, teach a Bible class, or serve as an elder, this conversation will help you think about how you handle God's Word, and how your hearers receive it.

📧 Send us your feedback, questions, and topic ideas: trendswithtruth@gmail.com (and ask for your sticker!)

👍 Like, share, and subscribe for new episodes.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Textual or topical?

1:00 Welcome to Trends with Truth

1:44 Where the preaching survey came from

3:22 Finding your preaching voice

5:56 Describe your preaching in one phrase: a 50/50 split

6:46 The generational trend: topical vs. textual

9:41 "The worst kind of preaching is the same kind of preaching"

11:41 Balancing your style with the congregation's needs

13:21 How mentors shape your preaching style

15:01 Keeping context in topical sermons

16:39 Don't just "create content"

18:54 How preachers keep getting better

19:48 The feedback that energizes preachers

21:30 Closing thoughts

Trends with Truth in Churches of Christ is a production of The Jenkins Institute and Heritage Christian University.

#TrendsWithTruth #Preaching #churchesofchrist

Tags / keywords

expository preaching, topical preaching, textual preaching, textual vs topical preaching, expository vs topical preaching, preaching styles, how to preach, preaching, sermon preparation, how to prepare a sermon, preaching tips, homiletics, biblical preaching, biblical teaching, church of christ, churches of christ, church of christ preaching, trends with truth, dale jenkins, michael jackson heritage christian university, heritage christian university, the jenkins institute, fred craddock, nashville school of preaching, preacher podcast, ministry podcast, christian podcast

Hashtags

#TrendsWithTruth #Preaching #ChurchesOfChrist #ExpositoryPreaching #Sermon