Stop Preaching Pointless Messages - John Whittaker

Stop Preaching Pointless Messages - John Whittaker

Author: Mike Neglia July 14, 2026 Duration: 27:54

John Whitaker believes that every sermon should have a purpose and a point - because we aren't just teaching the Bible, we are teaching the Bible to people.  

In this session (recorded in 2025 at our St Pete, Florida preacher training event) John speaks about the need to hone our homiletical skills so that we can connect with our congregations as complicated individuals, rather than a block of abstract "listeners."  Homiletics is the study of how to effectively communicate the message of the Christian faith through preaching and teaching. It involves understanding the biblical texts, the needs and concerns of the audience, and the use of language and other communication techniques to convey the message in a way that is meaningful and impactful.

 

John is passionate about connecting people with the life-changing message of the Bible. 

 He loves to bring the Bible to life and connect it to your life, so that it helps you live the life God created you for.


John enjoys his life too...

 

When he’s not preaching or teaching, you might find him at a local coffee shop meeting with and encouraging other local ministers. Or you could find him hanging out at home with his wife and partner in ministry, Louise, his closest friend for 30 years.  Or perhaps you’ll find him throwing the ball for his dogs. 

 

He loves Mexican food, a quiet day in the woods, his family, but most of all John loves to help people see how God’s word speaks to their life and his greatest thrill in life is to see people come alive to the joy of walking with God honestly, humbly, and transformationally.


Want all the technical details about John?

John is a preacher, teacher and pastor. He holds theology and ministry degrees from Boise Bible College, Cincinnati Bible Seminary, and a doctorate in preaching from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - the only reason for all of that is to help bring God's word into the lives of people more effectively.  John has been serving in ministry for 30 years. He has served as a Professor of Preaching and New Testament at Boise Bible College for 19 years. During that time, he also helped plant a church in Kuna, Idaho, where he led the adult education ministry and preached for 11 years. He has taught classes for Eternity Bible College and taught and preached in various places around the country and the world. Most recently, he served for nearly 4 years as one of the teaching and campus pastors at The Pursuit, in Boise. 


Recommended Resources: 

 https://www.johnwhittaker.net/

The Listener's Commentary: https://www.listenerscommentary.com/ 

free Mini-Course Deepen your Bible reading and prayer time : https://www.johnwhittaker.net/courses



Connect

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: 50

Expositors Collective: Expository Preaching, Bible Teaching and Sermon Preparation
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