In this episode of the Preaching Coach Podcast, Dr. David Allen takes a look back at 2025 and discusses what lies ahead for the ministry in 2026 including events, coaching opportunities, new resources, and more.

In this year’s final episode of the Preaching Coach Podcast, we share the most popular episode from all of 2025, Anatomy of a Sermon. In this episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the various aspects and functions of a sermon, comparing it to the anatomical design and study of the body.

Anatomy is the branch of science that studies the physical structure of the human body. It focuses on the physical arrangement of body parts, including cells, tissues, organs, and systems. Anatomy can be broadly divided into two types: gross anatomy (macroscopic) and microscopic anatomy.

Key aspects of anatomy:
Gross anatomy: Examines structures visible to the naked eye, including bones, muscles, organs, and organ systems.
Microscopic anatomy: Studies the microscopic structures of the body, including cells and tissues, using instruments like microscopes.
Subdivisions of gross anatomy: Include surface anatomy (examining the surface of the body), regional anatomy (focusing on specific regions), and systemic anatomy (studying the body systems). Importance: Anatomy is essential. It provides a foundational understanding of the human body for healthcare professionals, artists, and scientists.
Human Anatomy: Human anatomy involves the study of the physical structure of the human body. It focuses on numerous systems, including circulatory, digestive, endocrine, skeletal, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and muscular systems.

Sermon Anatomy – Effective Sermons:

1. INTERPRETATION - What is the meaning of the text? Determining textual meaning is the essential first step.
2. TRANSLATION - The job of the preacher is to transfer the meaning of the text to the audience in terms and contexts they understand. This is a kind of “translation,” reproducing textual meaning via the sermon. 
3. ORGANIZATION - In order to accomplish #2, every sermon should be structured for maximum effect. Thus, a sermon should contain the following 7 elements: 
   1. Exposition – Explaining the meaning of the text
   2. Illustration – Elucidating the meaning of the text
   3. Application – Applying the warranted meaning of the text
   4. Imagination – Helping people penetrate reality
   5. Argumentation – Proving the point of the text via its logic
   6. Motivation – Moving the will to obey - (via rhetoric, passion, exhortation, etc.)
   7. Exhortation – Telling them what to believe and practice; to do and not to do 
4. COMMUNICATION - Connecting with people via content and style
5. PASSION - Passion for Christ, the Word, and people expressed in delivery
6. PERSUASION - Preaching to convince people to think & act biblically. Behavior is based on belief. Change how people think, and you will change how they behave. (James 1:22)
7. TRANSFORMATION – Information is not transformation. Life transformation is the goal of preaching. Salvation of the lost; edification of the saved. 

In this episode from the archives, Dr. David Allen shares some helpful tips for preaching during Christmas. Learn how to prepare Christmas sermons from both the Old Testament and the New Testament on the birth of Jesus. 

Book Recommendations:

• Clovis Chappell - Special Day Sermons
• Clarence Macartney - Biblical Characters Books
• W. E. Sangster - Sangster's special-day sermons
• Herbert Lockyer - All the Holy Days and Holidays
• Stephen Olford - The Pulpit and the Christian Calendar: Preaching on Significant Days & The Pulpit and the Christian Calendar Vol. 2
• George Sweeting - Special sermons for special days

In this episode, Dr. David Allen talks with Dr. Jerry Vines about his friendship with Dr. Adrian Rogers.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen talks with Dr. Jack Graham and Dr. O.S. Hawkins about the 60+ years of friendship they have shared throughout their lives and ministries.  

In this episode, Dr. David Allen discusses different types of friendship and the great value true friendship is to anyone serving in ministry.

In this episode from the archives, Dr. David Allen discusses the subject of thanksgiving through the lens of Scripture.

In this episode, Dr. David Allen shares about a new product Preaching Coach will soon be offering – the Preaching Planner. This new planner is a companion resource to Dr. David Allen’s “12 Steps in Sermon Preparation” e-book.

In this episode from the archives, Dr. David Allen shares helpful tips for preaching the Christmas story. Learn how to prepare Christmas sermons from both the Old Testament and the New Testament about the birth of Jesus. 

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the incarnation, atonement, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and what relation these subjects have with apologetics.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses creation, prophecy, and intelligent design in part 4 of our series on preaching and apologetics.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses 15 biblical aspects of apologetics in the third part of our series on preaching and apologetics.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the subject of apologetics and what it means to give a defense for your faith in part two of this series on preaching and apologetics.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the subject of apologetics and what it means to give a defense for your faith.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses the subject of preaching a sermon series on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen talks with Eric Geiger, Senior Pastor of Mariners Church in Southern California, discussing Eric’s experience preaching through difficult topics like sexuality, transgenderism, and masculinity.  

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen talks about preaching through a sermon series, drawing upon decades of experience as a pastor and preaching professor.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen talks about preaching through books of the Bible, pointing out certain books and commentaries not to miss, different strategies to consider in dividing the books into sermons, the process of trading off between the Old and New Testaments, and methods for preaching through specific books.

In today’s episode, recorded live at the 2025 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. David Allen interviews Dr. Stephen Rummage, who leads the Florida Baptist State Convention as executive director-treasurer.

In today’s episode, Dr. David Allen discusses how to communicate the Word of God with clarity, confidence, and competence through an exploration of the relationship between preaching and systematic theology.