Software and books we actually recommend.
Short list on purpose. Everything here does a specific job in the weekly work of preparing and delivering a sermon.
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Looking for free browser-based tools? See our free tools for preachers.
Sermon-building tools
One recommendation here, because only one tool on this page is built for the job of building your sermon.
Sermoni
A sermon co-authoring tool for preachers. It helps you research a passage, shape an outline, and build your sermon alongside you. It never writes the sermon for you. Your voice, your convictions, your study, organized.
Build your next sermon with Sermoni →- Research a passage and gather your study in one place
- Shape outlines and movements without losing your voice
- Word studies and structure help while you build
- Co-authors with you and never writes the sermon for you
Other ministry tools
Presentation, study, notes, and streaming. Different jobs, all useful.
ProPresenter
The long-standing standard for Sunday presentation and lyrics. Heavier than you need for a small room, excellent once you have a volunteer team.
Visit siteBlue Letter Bible
Free interlinear text, lexicons, and cross-references in the browser. Ideal for the two or three key word studies in your weekly prep.
Visit siteLogos Bible Software
A serious commentary and reference library with search that actually works. Worth it if you preach weekly and read widely.
Visit siteObsidian
Plain-text notes you own forever. Perfect for a running illustration file and a searchable archive of every sermon you have preached.
Visit siteRestream
Push one service feed to multiple platforms and pull audio for a sermon podcast without extra volunteers.
Visit siteRecommended books
Classic and modern books on preaching, homiletics, and public speaking.
Classics and homiletics
Preaching and Preachers
The classic case for preaching as the highest calling of the church. Opinionated, bracing, and worth arguing with.
View on AmazonBetween Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching
The bridge-building model of preaching: one foot in the text, one foot in the world of your hearers.
View on AmazonBiblical Preaching
The standard textbook on big-idea preaching. If you struggle to state your sermon in one sentence, start here.
View on AmazonModern craft and public speaking
Communicating for a Change
A practical, one-point approach to structure and delivery. Read it for the craft mechanics, keep your own convictions.
View on AmazonSaving Eutychus
Short, funny, and ruthless about boring preaching. The most useful hundred pages on engagement you will read.
View on AmazonOn Speaking Well
Not a preaching book at all. A speechwriter on clarity, rhythm, and cutting. Ruins you for padded sentences.
View on AmazonEvery book link on this page uses our Amazon Associates structure. If you buy through one of them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it keeps this site free.
Still staring at a blank page on Thursday night?
Sermoni is the sermon-building tool on this page for a reason: it works alongside you from passage to outline to finished message, and your voice stays yours.
Get the free 5-Step Sermon Prep Checklist
One page. The exact sequence to take a passage from blank page to preachable outline. No spam, no fluff.