Expositors Collective

At our Longmont training event, Pastor Nate Morris explores the heart behind preaching and the practical movements that help us communicate Scripture faithfully. Opening with a story about waiting tables, Nate reminds us that preachers do not invent the meal. We carry what God has already prepared and deliver it with care. This session combines pastoral insight, clear structure, and encouragement for anyone who wants to handle God’s word well.About Pastor Nate MorrisNate Morris is the lead pastor of Mountain Life Calvary Chapel, a multi location church serving Vail, Gypsum, and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. He and his wife Jen live in the Colorado mountains with their children Caleb, Zoe, and Josiah. Having grown up in the mountains himself, Nate has a deep passion to see mountain communities reached and transformed by the gospel.He hosts Truth and Love with Nate and Jen Morris and is a regular contributor to Mountain Life Church’s Unscripted podcast. You can learn more at mountainlife.church, follow @natemorris1, or visit pastorn8.com.Speaking with the Weight of Scripture1 Peter 4:11 calls those who speak to speak as those delivering God’s words. Nate anchors the room in this reminder: preaching is a sacred trust. Our role is not to improve the message but to carry it faithfully, just as a good waiter brings a prepared meal without dropping the plate.Two Questions That Shape Every SermonWhere am I taking them?Preaching needs a clear destination shaped by the passage itself.How do we get there?Listeners need a guided path. Structure is one of the ways we serve them well.Caring for Souls Through the WordNate highlights the preacher’s pastoral task: understanding people’s real needs and showing how the gospel addresses them. As Samuel Brengle observed, the truth in Jesus brings healing to every kind of spiritual condition. Preaching becomes an act of care as we discern and apply Scripture wisely.Five Movements That Help People Follow the Message1. IntroductionHelp listeners orient themselves to the theme and direction of the passage.2. NecessitationShow why the message matters and surface the tension the text resolves.3. ExpositionOpen the Scriptures carefully. Let the text drive the content.4. ApplicationInvite people to respond. Show what trust, obedience, or repentance looks like in daily life.5. InspirationLeave listeners with hope in Christ, not pressure to perform.Tools That Support Clear and Helpful DeliveryHumour, illustrations, vulnerability, inflection, and physical movement can all help the message connect, provided they serve the text rather than distract from it.Working Heartily, Depending FullyNate ends by reminding us that preaching is both labour and reliance.Colossians 3:23 calls us to work heartily for the Lord, while Augustine’s well known line captures the balance: pray as though everything depends on God, work as though everything depends on you.For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

Matt Brown, a seasoned vocational pastor and church planter, dives into the art of crafting impactful, application-driven sermons. He emphasizes that every biblical passage provides a structured blueprint akin to a bridge, guiding the flow of thought. By analyzing Acts 11, he illustrates how to dissect scripture into meaningful sections, revealing the author's intent. Listeners gain insights on transforming textual structure into compelling outlines and application points, fostering creativity and clarity in their preaching.

In this episode Mike talks with Benni Rothe, pastor of Calvary Herborn, about his preaching journey and the practical habits that help him prepare well. Benni reflects on the lessons he picked up about time management while working full time as a banker and how those insights now help him structure his study week and keep a sustainable rhythm.The conversation touches on the relationship between personal devotions and sermon prep, the importance of finding your own working style rather than copying the approach of other preachers, and the surprising way God often uses us most in the moments when we feel least strong. Benni also shares how music plays a part in his process. As he finalises a sermon, he often uses music to stay focused, prayerful, and ready to communicate the message with a clear heart.About Benni RotheBenni is married to Laura. They have two daughters and live together in Germany. In fall 2017, Benni gave up his job as a banker and has been employed by the church ever since. He was the youth pastor for seven years and has been the senior pastor of our church since October 2024.It is important to him that people get to know Jesus in their lives and grow in their relationship with him. He roasts his own coffee and enjoys everything to do with coffee. Benni likes to spend time with his family and good friends, enjoys traveling, and is active in sports.For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollective

In this engaging conversation, Shaun Sells, a seasoned pastor with nearly thirty years in ministry, imparts his expertise on inductive Bible study. He emphasizes the importance of letting Scripture guide teaching rather than personal opinions. Shaun covers essential practices like the three-step method of observation, interpretation, and application. He introduces practical tools like the 7-Letter Rule and urges careful reading to deepen understanding. Ultimately, he stresses that faithful study shapes both teachers and their communities, fostering Christlike transformation.

Lance Ralston, the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Oxnard and a seasoned Bible teacher, shares insights from over 40 years in ministry. He emphasizes the significance of emotional awareness among preachers, linking theology with the emotional lives of congregants. Lance discusses how effective preaching can renew minds and emotions, highlighting key figures in church history like Jan Hus. His passion for concise, impactful communication aims to deepen listeners’ faith and understanding of Scripture.

Shane Angland, an experienced teaching elder with a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, dives into the essence of expository preaching. He highlights its biblical roots, illustrating with examples from Deuteronomy and Acts. Shane emphasizes that preaching should lead to action, merging explanation with application. He discusses the essential character traits for preachers, like humility and diligence, and notes the power of Scripture over personal opinions. This insightful conversation is a must-listen for anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of God’s Word.

David Guzik, a seasoned pastor and Bible teacher, discusses the enduring importance of Study Bibles and their role in enhancing biblical clarity. He shares insights from his 40 years of teaching, emphasizing the careful editing process necessary to condense his commentary into accessible notes. David highlights how Study Bibles facilitate deeper understanding and practical application while encouraging believers to read Scripture confidently. He also advises preachers on the art of communicating clearly, tailoring messages for varying audiences.

Join seasoned preacher Tim Brown, who uses imagery to explore sermon preparation, Bible teacher Brian Daly focusing on intimacy with God, and author Heath Hardesty emphasizing joy in study. They discuss how Psalm 29 inspires preaching as a storm that awakens new vision. The trio highlights the importance of worshipful dependence and the beauty of stillness in preparation, comparing it to a harpooner's readiness. Their conversation serves as a reminder that impactful preaching flows from deep communion with the Word.

In this lively panel discussion, pastors Nick Cady, John Whittaker, and Conor Berry join Mike Neglia to explore the art and science of sermon preparation. They talk candidly about how to move from text to message, find the “big idea,” and keep Jesus at the center—without losing clarity or heart along the way.You’ll hear practical insights on sermon pacing, study habits, and handling the unexpected moments of inspiration (and frustration!) that come with preaching week after week.🔑 Key TopicsFinding the big idea in biblical textsBalancing exegesis with applicationThe challenges of Christ-centered preachingManaging time, creativity, and perfectionismPractical rhythms for sermon development💡 Episode HighlightsTurning study notes into compelling messagesHow to prepare deeply—without over-preparingWisdom for preaching under time pressureEncouragement for every preacher in every seasonWhether you’re a pastor, student, or teacher, this conversation will help you preach faithfully, think clearly, and love the Word even more.For information about our upcoming training events visit ExpositorsCollective.com The Expositors Collective podcast is part of the CGNMedia, Working together to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and plant churches. For more content like this, visit https://cgnmedia.org/Join our private Facebook group to continue the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ExpositorsCollectiveDonate to support the work of Expositors Collective, in person training events and a free weekly podcast: https://cgn.churchcenter.com/giving/to/expositors-collective

Heath Hardesty, Lead Pastor of Valley Community Church and author of *All Things Together*, dives into the art of Scripture meditation and preaching. He emphasizes that sermon prep should be a formative journey rather than a mere task. Heath shares insights on weaving the entire redemptive narrative in preaching, the transformative power of meditative reading, and the importance of delight in engaging with God’s Word. He eloquently compares spiritual growth to nurturing an acorn into an oak tree, reminding us that true formation takes time and patience.