Clear Preaching That Connects with Real Life - Don Sunukjian

Clear Preaching That Connects with Real Life - Don Sunukjian

Author: Mike Neglia January 27, 2026 Duration: 45:20

Dr Don Sunukjian has devoted his life to the craft of preaching, both in the pulpit and in the classroom. With doctoral training in theology and communication, along with 21 years of experience as a senior pastor, he brings together rigorous scholarship and real pastoral wisdom. He now serves as Professor Emeritus of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Biola University.

In this conversation, Don joins Mike Neglia to talk about oral clarity in preaching and why vivid, real-life examples are essential for establishing relevance. Together, they explore how preachers can communicate biblical truth with accuracy, interest, and persuasive force, helping listeners not only understand the message but feel its weight.

Dr Sunukjian has made significant contributions to the field of homiletics and biblical studies, writing for resources such as The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Biblical Preaching, Bibliotheca Sacra, Walvoord: A Tribute, and The Big Idea of Biblical Preaching. He has led pastors’ conferences across the United States and continues to maintain an active preaching ministry.

This re-released conversation remains a timely reminder that faithful preaching requires both careful preparation and thoughtful communication.


Recommended Resources



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


Mike Neglia hosts Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation, a space dedicated to the craft of clearly opening the Scriptures. Rather than offering abstract theory, this podcast grounds itself in the tangible realities faced by pastors and teachers every week. You'll hear genuine conversations that feel like pulling up a chair in a mentor's study, where experienced practitioners discuss the challenges and joys of preparing messages that faithfully explain the biblical text. Episodes often take the form of interviews or practical workshops, delving into the nuances of effective communication for diverse settings like church pulpits, youth groups, or women's ministries. The collective wisdom shared here is about more than just structure; it's about the spiritual discipline of listening to a passage before speaking on it, ensuring the sermon's heart beats in rhythm with the Bible's intent. Tuning into this podcast provides a form of ongoing coaching, a resource for anyone who wants their teaching to be both deeply rooted and readily understood. It’s for those who believe that the careful work of exposition is a profound act of service, and who are looking for a companion on that journey.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation
Podcast Episodes
Preaching That Changes Lives: Dr John Whittaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Dr John Whittaker shares why expository preaching changes lives. He traces his journey from a shy teenager to his first sunrise-Easter sermon in 1985, reflects on Pastor Don’s topical, many-point approach - “like a log o…
Parabolic Expositional Preaching: The Arc and the Throughline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:28
Preaching, says Heath Hardesty, should do more than explain a passage of Scripture - it should take listeners on a journey that awakens thirst and points them to the living water of Christ. In this session, recorded at V…
Preaching the Beauty of the Lord - Mike Dente [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:57
In this episode of the Expositors Collective podcast, Mike sit down with Mike Dente, lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Paris. Mike has served in France for decades, planting and pastoring in a thoroughly post-Christian Europ…
Learning to Preach Like Jesus - Re-Release [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:49
Many people consider Jesus to be a great teacher and preacher, but few actually realise just how incredible and multilayered His teachings actually were.In this episode of Expositors Collective, Mike speaks with Dr. Pete…
Ryan Marrs invites you to St. Petersburg, Florida August 22-23rd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:48
In these interactive seminars, attendees will meet in groups and build ongoing relationships. Our next training weekend will be held at Calvary Chapel St Petersburg.8900 US Hwy 19 N, Pinellas Park, Florida 33782August 22…
Spiritual Readings, Historic Senses, Lectionaries and Four Mountains [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:45
What if the whole story of the Bible could be told through four mountains?In this conversation, Mike speaks with theologian and pastor Michael Niebauer about his new book, Four Mountains: Encountering God in the Bible fr…
We're coming to St Petersburg Florida, August 22-23! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:50
In these interactive seminars, attendees will meet in groups and build ongoing relationships. Our next training weekend will be held at Calvary Chapel St Petersburg.8900 US Hwy 19 N, Pinellas Park, Florida 33782August 22…