If you feel nervous before preaching, it might be a good thing.
At least on some level.

Some anxiety doesn’t mean you’re unfit.
It doesn’t mean you’re unprepared.
And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re alone.

Even with decades of experience and hundreds of sermons under my belt, I still get butterflies.
Especially when the stakes feel high… which, let’s be honest, they always do.

But here’s what I’ve learned over the years:

Nerves aren’t always a sign of weakness. Sometimes, they’re a sign of the right kind of weight.

Are You Judging Your Anxiety—or Interpreting It?

Pastors carry a lot into the pulpit. And when that weight shows up as nervous energy, we tend to assume something’s wrong.

• Am I not spiritual enough?
• Did I miss something in my prep?
• What if this sermon flops?
• What if someone more “qualified” is sitting in the room?
• And what if they’re smirking while I teach?

But nerves like these usually aren’t rooted in a lack of preparation.
They’re rooted in internal pressure, and often, the wrong kind.

The Most Anxious Sermon I’ve Ever Preached

When Watermarke Church was adopted by North Point Ministries in 2011, I suddenly went from leading a growing, independent church… to sitting at the leadership table with Andy Stanley, Lane Jones, and Jeff Henderson.

No pressure, right?

Not long after becoming a campus location of North Point Ministries, Andy asked me to preach at North Point Community Church.

I was honored. Excited.
And completely, utterly terrified.

I’m sure you can imagine how I felt. This was THE North Point. THE Andy Stanley.

I’d heard stories of how that stage chewed up and spit out would-be preachers.

I spent the entire week before my preaching date on vacation, sitting on the beach and rehearsing my sermon over and over again.

By the time Sunday came, I was overprepared. The message was solid—good connection, good tension, biblically sound, and practical.

But here’s what I realized years later, after many more similar experiences:
I wasn’t preaching for the Gospel—I was preaching for approval.

• I was more worried about what Andy would think than what God might do.
• I was more focused on getting invited back than helping people move forward.
• I was so anxious, I noticed my mic pack literally had Andy’s name on it.

And all those nerves?
Born from unhealth. Not calling.

The Real Reason Preaching Anxiety Hits So Hard

When unhealthy nerves derail you, they’re often coming from one of these places:

• Insecurity – You’re focused on being impressive, not faithful.
• Perfectionism – You’ve convinced yourself the sermon must be flawless.
• Comparison – You’re measuring your message against someone else’s voice.
• Fear of Rejection – You care too much about how people will respond.

What do all of those have in common?

They make the sermon about you.

When your message becomes a mirror instead of a window to Jesus, anxiety is inevitable.

Try This: Turn Down the Ego, Turn Up the Assignment

Not all nerves are bad.

There’s another kind—the good kind.
The Gospel kind.
The kind that reminds you you’re standing between heaven and earth, pointing people to hope.

You’re not the Savior.
You’re the signpost.

Here’s how to keep that weight sacred instead of suffocating:

1. Name the source of your nerves

Before you preach, ask:

“Am I nervous because I want to look good, or because I want God to move?”

One leads to anxiety. The other leads to surrender.

2. Pray a centering prayer

Here’s the prayer I pray before every sermon—every single one:

“God, make this moment about You first and the people second. Quiet my ego. Center my heart. Use me fully and let me enjoy the privilege of preaching Your truth.”

3. Refuse the idol of perfection

Perfection is the perversion of great.

No one expects (or needs) a perfect preacher.
They need a present one.
An authentic one.
One who’s been with Jesus.

4. Rehearse your identity, not just your message

You’re a child of God before you’re a messenger of God.

Preach from security, not for approval.

Ironically, Andy Stanley once taught our team, “Work for an audience of One,” with the “One” being God and God alone. 
I still remind myself of that before every message.

Try This: Let the Butterflies Fly in Formation

Still feel nervous?

Good.
It means this still matters to you.
It means you believe God might use your words to change someone’s eternity.

So next time the butterflies come, don’t swat them away.

Train them.
Pray through them.
Let them remind you:

This moment isn’t about you—it’s about something bigger than you.

And that’s the kind of preacher people need.
And the kind God seems to use most.

Quotes to Share

“Nerves aren’t always a sign of weakness. Sometimes, they’re a sign of the right kind of weight.”
“Preach from your identity in Christ, not for your approval from people.”
“The sermon isn’t about you—it’s about pointing people to hope.”

Want to Preach Better Sermons?

I help churches do this every month. Reply to this email if you’d like to discuss how I may be able to serve you and your church. 

You can also:

 Join a FREE Pressure Valve Session: I host a monthly Pressure Valve Session to help pastors like you tackle one of these seven pressures head-on.
 Attend a Leadership Lab: Attend a digital strategy lab and walk away with a practical plan to confidently lead under pressure. Or I’ll come to you and host a retreat or a 1-day workshop.
 Take the Pressure Inventory: This free, 5-minute assessment helps you identify where the pressure is heaviest for you.

Here are a few other articles you may enjoy: 

• Inside the Mind of a Preacher: 7 (Un)Surprising Sources of Anxiety
• Facing the Fear: A Guide for Pastors to Overcoming 8 Common Anxieties

Working To Get Better, Together,
Dr. Gavin Adams