Writing is different from preaching.

One of the main reasons articles are turned down for religious publications is they are too "preachy." Good preachers are not frequently also good writers. The reason? The two mediums are very different. They are different in several ways. I'll share one obvious one here.

This is an oversimplification but it will help you get the picture. In writing, you cut, cut, cut; you can never cut enough. In preaching, you add, add, add; you can never add enough—even after the sermon begins. At least this is how sermons used to be and how they are still in many traditional churches. You can't afford extra words in writing. You don't have a captive audience. Draw them in, get to the point, and give them a great conclusion.

And don't write it like you'd preach it.