Articles by Derek Morris

Prayer-saturated preaching
July 2009
The importance of prayer for the preacher, the hearers, and the community: An interview with Alvin VanderGriend
I was taught to pray from childhood. My parents encouraged me to pray when I got up in the morning and when I went to bed at night. They led us in prayer before and after each meal. I am deeply grateful for what I learned about prayer through my Christian upbringing. Some important foundations were laid. But there was a lot about prayer that I didn’t know. I didn’t know that prayer was all about relationship, a love relationship with God. I didn’t know that I had to ask for spiritual blessings in order to receive them. I didn’t know what a difference intercession could make.Sequence preaching: How to design and prepare and effective sermon series
December 2008
Sequence preaching: How to
design and prepare an effective
sermon series
First person narrative preaching: A fresh approach for telling the old, old story
May 2008
Here’s a way to incorporate drama into the sermon in a
way that church members will find refreshing.
Preaching to the world: how Web church can extend the impact of your preaching ministry
July 2007
Is streaming video a reason to stay home, watch church
services, and avoid the crowds? Or does it actually have
benefits?
Listening to your listeners
February 2007
Many preachers view preaching as simply a time to speak. They fail to recognize that effective preachers need to listen attentively to their listeners. Every listener provides valuable feedback during the sermon, and wise preachers will learn to listen attentively to this feedback in order to connect more effectively with their congregation.
Called to preach: an interview with E. E. Cleveland and Benjamin Reaves
December 2006
Two great preachers discuss the importance of preaching,
preparation for preaching, and making an appeal at the
end of the sermon.
Preaching effectively without notes
October 2006
A five-step process to leaving your notes out of the pulpit.
(But you’ll still need to write a manuscript!)
Visuals in preaching: increasing the impact of your biblical sermons
May 2006
Preaching involves more than spoken words. Nonverbal communication can make or break your sermon.
Embracing the next generation: an interview with Josh McDowell
March 2006
A well-known speaker and author shares his passion for ministry to youth.
Sharing the good news with the world: an interview with Luis Palau
September 2005
An interview with Luis Palau
Preaching the Word: an interview with evangelist Charles D. Brooks
April 2005
Derek J. Morris interviews Charles D. Brooks.
From panic to purpose: the process and benefits of planning a preaching calendar
September 2004
How to successfully hold a preaching calendar, and how it can and will benefit you.
Preaching out of the overflow: the spiritual life of the preacher
March 2004
An interview with Barry Black, chaplain of the United States Senate.
Start a sermon resource group: Unleash your congregation's creativity
September 2003
A viable plan for using our congregations in the act of sermon creation
Learning from the marketplace: Interview with Patricia Fripp
May 2003
An interview: Practical principles for effective public speaking
Preaching Christian doctrine
January 2002
Interview: The value of and approach to exposing biblical doctrine in the pulpit.
Celebration and experience in preaching
March 2001
An interview with Henry H. Mitchell by Derek J. Morris.
Feedback and evaluation: Key to relevant biblical preaching
January 2001
Using congregational feedback to improve preaching
Reaching the Secular Mind: An interview with Ravi Zacharias
March 2000
Ravi Zacharias gives tips on reaching the secular minds of today.
Preaching that turns the world upside down: An interview with William H. Willimon
November 1999
Courage to preach extra-culturally
Marketplace preaching: Interview with Calvin Miller
November 1998
A highly respected preacher talks about reaching people where they are
Inductive preaching: An interview with Fred B. Craddock
July 1998
Preaching that leads people to arrive at their own conclusions
Relevant biblical preaching: the art of double listening.
January 1997
Relating God's unchanging Word to our ever-changing world.
Classic Sermons on the Cross of Christ
September 1993
A compilation of 12 great sermons on the cross of Christ.