Planning Your 2026 Preaching Calendar
A thoughtful, prayerful process for preaching from overflow, not pressure.
Last week I shared this process with some pastors in Theos Network. It seemed to land and be helpful, so I figured it was worth getting it into writing.
This isn’t a list of what to preach. It’s a simple process you can walk through to build a preaching plan for 2026 that sets you up for clarity, quality, preparation, and a sense of partnership with what God is doing in your church.
A preaching calendar doesn’t limit the Spirit — it creates space for Him. It gives you room to study early, pray into things ahead of time, gather ideas and resources, and get aligned with your team.
A helpful way to think about it is like a degustation menu. A thoughtful journey. Not random plates. Not emotional improvisation. Something intentional that builds toward spiritual maturity across the year.
A good plan doesn’t replace weekly obedience — it just gives it direction.
And surprisingly, a plan will make you a better preacher. I’ll explain why in the last step.
Here’s the process:
Reflect → Seek → Brainstorm → Schedule → Prepare
Reflect
It’s important to design a preaching calendar that fits your ministry style and strategy. Every church is slightly different, and taking time to reflect on your approach makes planning easier.
What approach fits with your ministry values?
Are you high strategy — wanting to maximise every opportunity, stack momentum weeks, and leverage highs and lows? If so, you’ll likely have shorter series.
Do you follow the historic Church calendar? And if so — are you dabbling (Advent/Lent only) or going all in (Eastertide, Pentecost, Ascension, etc.)?
Do you like long, uninterrupted series and dislike breaking flow?
Do you run a theme for the year? How seriously are you wanting to integrate it?
Are you spontaneous by wiring? If so, you’ll need to deliberately schedule gaps for things that emerge during the year.
Reflect on your approach before moving on.
Seek
This isn’t about forcing something — it’s about listening.
I’m not telling you what to preach. I’m giving you a process I believe God can use to lead you.
Ask:
What is God stirring in me?
Do I have a sense of focus for the year?
Where is our church under-formed?
What haven’t we taught on in a while?
What do I want to see more of?
What “permission to play” topics need clarity — finances, worship, community, serving?
What in our world needs a biblical lens?
What challenges are we facing?
Let those questions sit before moving ahead.
And zoom out two or three years and look at the bigger picture. Ask:
Are we offering a full, healthy, formative biblical diet over time?
You’re not just filling Sundays — you’re forming followers of Jesus.
Brainstorm
Now take the answers and begin exploring series ideas for 2026.
Think widely:
Old Testament books and characters
New Testament books or sections
Topics or discipleship lenses
Cultural engagement through Scripture
I’m doing this right now and have about fifteen draft series — six will probably make it.
When brainstorming, note the minimum weeks each idea needs.
There’s also an opportunity to involve others here. Your team, elders, or staff can all bring helpful perspective.
Schedule
Now it becomes practical.
Roll out an annual planner — physical is better — and get tactile. Use sticky notes so you can move things around.
Work through it in this order:
Add the baseline calendar: holidays, school terms, natural low and high attendance weeks.
Add Church calendar moments you want to honour.
Add confirmed guest speakers.
Add church events so you can see what sits before and after them.
Now look at the gaps and begin testing your top series ideas in different positions.
Leave margin if you’re spontaneous and know you’ll want room for new ideas during the year.
This step usually takes a few rounds. That’s normal.
Prepare
This is where the magic is.
This is why a plan makes you a better preacher — because you now have time to:
gather resources
order commentaries early
talk to friends who’ve preached similar topics
start filling your mind, imagination, and spirit with what’s ahead, collecting stories, metaphors, and ideas
Instead of rushing into each series, you’re arriving ready — informed, prayed-up, and excited.
If You’re Doing This With a Team
Split it into two sessions:
Reflect, Seek, Brainstorm (half day — full day)
Schedule and Prepare (half day)
This keeps it simple and not overwhelming.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need the whole year locked before January — the plan can evolve.
The plan isn’t frozen. You can adjust it as you go. Think scaffolding, not concrete.
Want Help With This?
If you'd like help thinking through or building your 2026 preaching calendar, or walking your team through the process, reach out. I’d love to help.
