Does the Holy Spirit Hate Your Sermon Outline? (REACHRIGHT Mailbag Episode)

In this edition of ReachRight Mailbag, we’re diving into some of the most frequently asked—and sometimes controversial—questions we’ve gotten from you, our listeners and readers.

From sermon structure and spiritual spontaneity, to church giving and Google Ads, we’re tackling the big questions that pastors, communicators, and church leaders are thinking about in 2025.

Let’s get into it.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Does a Structured Sermon Block the Holy Spirit?

This is a hot one—and it comes up more than you’d think.

Here’s the question: If a pastor preaches using a planned, structured sermon, does that mean the Holy Spirit can’t move in the service?

Let’s be honest—there’s a false dichotomy floating around out there. People tend to think you either have to plan everything or let the Spirit lead everything. But what if it’s not either-or?

Structure doesn’t cancel the Spirit. In fact, the Holy Spirit can work through the preparation just as much as through spontaneity.

Think of it like this: Paul’s letters were pretty structured. Jesus used parables with purpose. The early church had elders who taught sound doctrine. Order isn’t the enemy of anointing.

So go ahead and plan that three-point sermon. Just stay open to the Spirit interrupting your plan when He needs to. Preparation and presence can (and should) work hand in hand.

Should Commitment to Jesus Trump SEO and Marketing?

Someone asked, “If we’re really committed to Jesus, shouldn’t that be enough? Why focus on SEO or marketing at all?”

It’s a fair question—but it’s also based on a misunderstanding of what marketing actually is.

Marketing isn’t about manipulating people or turning the Gospel into a product. At its core, church marketing is simply about communication. It’s about removing barriers and making sure the message reaches people where they are.

SEO is how people find your church when they’re searching for hope. Social media is how they see your church community in action. Email is how you follow up and disciple. All of these tools can work in service of your mission—not in place of it.

So yes, your commitment to Jesus should be primary. But that commitment should also drive you to use every ethical tool available to reach people for Him.

Is It Ethical for Pastors to Use AI for Sermon Research?

This one’s been gaining traction lately.

We’re all wondering—if a pastor uses AI to help research, brainstorm, or even outline a sermon, is that wrong?

Here’s our take: It’s not unethical, but it can be misused.

AI is like a commentary or a study tool. It can help you explore ideas, check references, or find that verse you can’t quite remember. What it can’t do is replace time in prayer, Scripture, and seeking God’s voice.

The danger isn’t in using AI—it’s in replacing spiritual work with shortcuts. Your people don’t need ChatGPT’s best thoughts. They need God’s Word through you.

So use AI if you like. Just don’t outsource your calling.

What Does the Bible Actually Say About Giving to the Church?

Another great question we got: “Does the Bible ever talk about giving to the church as an organization, or just to the poor and needy?”

This is one where both sides have a point.

Yes, Scripture puts a heavy emphasis on caring for the poor, widows, and orphans. That’s non-negotiable. But that’s not all it says about giving.

In the New Testament, we also see financial support for the ministry of the church. Paul talks about churches giving to support his missionary work (Philippians 4:15-18). He references elders who are “worthy of double honor,” especially those who preach and teach (1 Timothy 5:17-18), which includes financial support.

So it’s not either-or. Biblical generosity includes supporting the church and caring for the needy. The healthiest churches do both.

Is the One-Man Paid Pastor Model Biblical?

Let’s tackle a spicy one.

Some of you asked: “Is it biblical for one man to be paid to lead the whole church?”

The short answer: The structure of a single paid lead pastor isn’t found explicitly in the Bible—but paying church leaders absolutely is.

As we mentioned earlier, Paul encouraged churches to financially support those who labor in teaching and leadership. However, the early church also practiced plural leadership—elders, not just one pastor.

So is it unbiblical to have a lead pastor? No. But it’s worth remembering that shared leadership and accountability are deeply biblical. One person shouldn’t be carrying the entire spiritual and organizational weight of the church.

Healthy churches may have a “point leader,” but they thrive when leadership is shared, supported, and mission-focused.

Where Can Churches Find Real Marketing Trends?

If following marketing trends is a good strategy, someone asked, how do we actually find these trends?

Great question. And the good news is—you don’t need a marketing degree to stay on top of what’s working.

Here are a few ways to stay up to date:

• Follow church communications blogs and podcasts (like this one!)
• Use tools like Google Trends to see what people are searching for
• Watch what other healthy churches are doing on social media, YouTube, and their websites
• Subscribe to email newsletters from platforms like Barna, Gloo, or ChurchTechToday

And remember: Trends are just tools. Don’t chase them for the sake of being trendy. Use them to help remove friction and point people to Jesus.

Should You Use the Google Ad Grant for Fundraising Campaigns?

Another great mailbag question: “Can I use the Google Ad Grant to run fundraising campaigns for my church?”

Technically… yes. But with caution.

The Google Ad Grant allows nonprofits (including churches) to run $10,000/month in free ads. However, there are strict rules about how that money can be used. Google doesn’t want you using the grant to solicit donations directly—especially not in a way that looks like a business.

Here’s how to do it wisely:

• Lead with mission, not money. Focus on what the church is doing, and then invite people to partner financially.
• Use ads to build trust. Send people to a story-driven page that shows impact, then introduce the giving opportunity.
• Test “value-based” keywords. Instead of “give to our church,” use keywords like “support local outreach” or “help hurting families.”

Fundraising ads can work—but they need to focus on vision more than a simple ask.

What About Reposting Just the Sermon After the Livestream?

Lastly, someone asked: “After the livestream is over, is it okay to repost just the sermon portion as a separate video or podcast?”

The answer? Absolutely—and it’s actually a great idea.

The reality is that most people won’t sit through a full 90-minute service replay on YouTube. But they will watch a 25-minute sermon that’s easy to find and share.

Here’s why reposting the sermon alone works:

• It’s searchable. Title the video based on the sermon topic, not just the date.
• It’s shareable. People are more likely to send a sermon to a friend if it’s clean and focused.
• It helps your YouTube algorithm. Shorter, relevant content keeps people watching and engaged.

Just make sure you include a call to action—like inviting people to watch the full service, subscribe, or plan a visit.

Wrapping It Up

We covered a lot of ground in this ReachRight Mailbag—from sermon structure and AI ethics to biblical giving and fundraising strategy.

But here’s the common thread: Ministry is changing, but the mission stays the same.

We’re called to make disciples, preach the Gospel, and serve people in the name of Jesus. And whether you do that through a structured sermon, a marketing strategy, or a livestreamed message, the Holy Spirit can absolutely still move.

Thanks for sending in your questions. If you’ve got one you want featured in a future episode, drop it in the comments, email us, or connect with us on social.

More Resources for Ministry

• 25 Bible Verses About Baptism
• 5 Ways AI Can Make You A Better Preacher
• The Shocking Truth About AI in the Church
• The Ethics of AI in Ministry: What Every Pastor Needs to Know
• Innovative Church Fundraising Strategies for 2024: A Complete Guide

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