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Easter Prep Series: Sermon Prep for Pastors: Process, Feedback Loops, and Boundaries That Keep You Healthy (w/ Kevin Robison) – Episode 329
Easter Prep Series: Sermon Prep for Pastors: Process, Feedback Loops, and Boundaries That Keep You Healthy (w/ Kevin Robison) – Episode 329
In Episode 329 of the 95Podcast, Dale Sellers and Joseph Bennett sit down with lead pastor Kevin Robison to discuss how building a repeatable sermon prep system can strengthen both preaching and personal health. Kevin shares how starting with prayer and Scripture before outside sources keeps messages aligned with God’s direction and the real needs of the church. The conversation explores how a clear process helps pastors avoid the “Saturday night scramble,” get weeks ahead in preparation, and create margin for healthier family life.
Kevin also unpacks practical lessons on respecting people’s time in services, building feedback loops between sermons, and protecting the pulpit from becoming a place to address personal conflicts. Ultimately, the episode highlights how healthy rhythms in sermon preparation can help pastors preach more clearly while leading more sustainably.
Pastor Kevin and his wife Katie met in a small group at Foothills in 2011. Today, they are happily married with three children, Hayley, Anna, and Caleb. Kevin has served in various roles at Foothills over the years before becoming lead pastor and also served at a church in his hometown, Franklin, TN. They have made it their lives’ mission to help people find and follow Jesus and are thrilled to continue that mission through Foothills, in the upstate and beyond!
Links to Resources Mentioned or Related
- Website: Foothills Church
- Email Kevin
- Easter Devotional From Fishhook
- Link to NEW! Soul Care Essentials Online: 3-Session Video Series
- Link to NEW! Soul Care Essentials Cohort: 6 Weeks of Guided Conversations for Post-Conference Groups
- 95Network – Soul Care Essentials
- 95Network – Healthy Church Assessment
- Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now
- Watch Podcast on YouTube
Key Takeaways
- Start with alignment, not content. Kevin begins sermon prep by praying, seeking God’s direction, and dealing with “known sin” to remove spiritual and emotional friction.
- Read the passage before outside sources. The message should be shaped by Scripture and the church’s needs before commentaries or other materials.
- Use external sermons as a spark, not a template. The goal is to protect a unique voice while still generating ideas.
- A process prevents the “Saturday Night Special.” Systems reduce anxiety and late-night scrambling.
- Getting ahead creates margin for relationships. The biggest win of being ahead is becoming a present spouse and parent.
- Respect time to build trust. Long services can damage trust with guests, families, and volunteers, especially children’s workers.
- Do not weaponize the pulpit. Address personal conflicts directly. Do not use sermons to indirectly confront individuals.
- Raise up leaders when you are overwhelmed. If everything depends on one person, growth will eventually break the system.
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