Hershael York
Dean of the School of Theology; Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching
Staying at a church for the long haul
It’s best for both the health of a church and its pastor for him to dig in and stay
How do I follow a long-tenured pastor?
Following a pastor who has run well is only a problem for those who lack the character or the stamina to do the same.
Recovering from a bad sermon
How should a preacher handle the occasional failure even after extensive study and spiritual preparation?
Should I ever break from an expository sermon series?
I am a shepherd who preaches, not a preacher who shepherds. In other words, I am not merely a Bible teacher exegeting the text, but a pastor walking through life with the people I serve and applying the texts I exegete.
6 things to remember when making changes in a local church
Change occurs through people. People follow leaders, and leaders know the value of relationship.
Why some preachers get better and others don’t
No one denies that a preaching class and some coaching can help anyone become better. What we question is the possibility that someone with no natural giftedness and ability can be taught well enough that he can become really good.
Top 5 rookie pastor mistakes
Pastors who try to reap the dividends of authority without making the investment of credibility will quickly find themselves in a leadership deficit.
When you cannot find a place to serve in ministry
I have been there, and I know it’s not fun, but in retrospect I think I learned more about honoring Christ with my life during that time than at any other.
4 Keys to Preaching More Engaging Sermons
How long should a sermon be? As a preaching professor and a pastor, I’ve asked and been asked that question a hundred times. You can preach as long as you hold their attention.
Don’t let your tone of voice ruin your sermon
Striking the right tone, like all aspects of preaching, requires persistent vigilance.
6 reasons church is not optional for seminary students
The experience gained, the relationships forged, and the doors opened to those who use their seminary years to serve in a church—even if in an unpaid position—will prove a blessing throughout the rest of life.
The funeral I most dreaded
This morning I will preach my father-in-law’s funeral. For 32 years of our marriage, I dreaded this terrible task because he was not a believer. He wanted no part of Christ or his gospel. We prayed for him, witnessed to him, sent others to talk to him, and five years ago even took him to…
5 moves to integrate theology into your ministry
If you want a church to be saturated with truth, then stay there and walk through life with them.
Is your marriage a picture of the gospel?
If marriage is a picture of Christ and his love for his church, then much more is at stake than my happiness.
Five reasons to plant your life in a church and stay there
The longer you live in community with people, the more credibility you will have—unless you simply don’t earn and have credibility.
Why seminary can never qualify anyone for ministry
That is why ordination, taken seriously and done rightly, should mean much more than any seminary degree.
10 ways to thrive in the face of pastoral challenges
When Paul described the burden of ministry that God has given us, he concluded by asking the question, “Who is equal to such a task?” (2 Cor 2:16) After reviewing the challenges of leadership in the church, we might ask the same thing. We must remember, however, that wherever God calls, He also enables. God…