In Preaching Articles: "Altar Call"

When Mission Replaces God: Escaping The Trap Of Missionalism

By Skye Jethani on Jul 28, 2024

Skye Jethani: "While a vision for serving God is needed, and the desperate condition of our world cannot be ignored, there is a higher calling that is going unanswered in many Christian communities."

Scripture: Psalm 62:1-6

Tags: Evangelism, Missions, renewal, evangelism, Renewal  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Tell If It's A God Thing

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 2, 2023

God often calls His people into assignments that seem impossible or irrational. Here are seven marks that may indicate the task before you is truly from Him.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, 2 Chronicles 20:12, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Philippians 4:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: opportunity, christian living, Christian Living

Powerful Preaching Means Transformation, Not Information

By James Scott on Jul 12, 2020

Being informed by Scripture can still leave lives unchanged. Biblical Christianity calls for Christ to be formed within us, producing real transformation, not mere knowledge.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:27, James 1:22-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Transformation, preaching, Pastoral Theology

Should You Preach Without Notes?

By Rev. Tejado Hanchell on Aug 18, 2020

"I believe every preacher should have at least one sermon in his heart that he could preach with or without notes if called upon at a moment's notice."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, 2 Timothy 2:15, Psalm 119:11, Colossians 3:16

Tags: Preaching, memorization, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Preach A Funeral Like You'll Never Be Invited Back

By Chris Surber on Jul 13, 2025

A crowd of non-churchgoers just gathered in a church. Call me crazy. I don't know much. But perhaps you should tell them about Jesus?

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Christ, Preaching, Funeral, preaching

Vacation Bible School Promotion And Communication, Part Two

By Lisa Eifert on May 15, 2024

Getting kids to VBS is big step. It’s a great way to help kids during the vulnerable summer months and introduce new families to your church. Communication and promotion are key steps to ensuring your church reaches as many kids as possible. There’s a lot that can be done to promote it so remember to call on your teens and a powerful group message service like One Call Now.

Tags: Communication, Technology, VBS, Youth Ministry, communication  (view more)  (view less)

What Is Saving Faith?

By R. C. Sproul on Aug 31, 2022

Faith is central to Christianity. The New Testament repeatedly calls people to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a definite body of content to be believed, which is part and parcel of our religious activity.

Scripture: James 2:14-17

Tags: Salvation, justification, Adoption, Reformation, saving faith, Preach Christ, God's righteousness, preaching the gospel, salvation by grace  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Body Of Christ In Trouble?

By Barry O. Johnson on Sep 11, 2024

Barry Johnson offers some helpful insights into the state of the Church in America, and offers a loving call for pastors to take bold steps of faith wherever God has planted them.

Tags: Gospel, Truth, Preaching, Body of Christ, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Should Preach More About Heaven

By Toni Ridgaway on May 4, 2023

Despite widespread curiosity about life after death, many churches rarely preach on heaven. Scripture calls pastors to teach clearly about the believer’s eternal hope.

Scripture: John 14:1-3, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 21:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Heaven, Truth, Preaching, eternal life, preaching, Eternal Life  (view more)  (view less)

Good & Bad Cases Of Church Discipline

By Ray Hollenbach on Mar 10, 2025

A real church incident exposes why believers distrust discipline. Yet Scripture shows discipline is meant to heal, not harm, calling us to restore one another with Christ’s presence.

Tags: pastoral care, Pastoral Care

Pastor, Are You Chasing Stray Dogs?

By Chris Surber on Jan 26, 2023

"Here is a list of people who have left the church in the last few years. We would like you to call on them to see if you can win a few of them back."

Tags: Church, Preaching, members, Church Health, stray dog, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Shepherd God’s Flock: Our Job As Pastors

By Chris Pascarella on Sep 19, 2022

As pastors, we’re called to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2). In fact, God holds us accountable for our shepherding (Hebrews 13:17). But what does it look like to shepherd?

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2

Tags: Shepherd, strategy, Eldership, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

What Your Congregation Wants To Hear At Christmastime

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 14, 2023

Joe McKeever helps reframe our calling: "The people who make up your congregation do not require anything new from you regarding the Christmas story this season or any season. "

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-16

Tags: Preaching, preaching

When Preaching Opportunities Are Limited

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 20, 2021

Many associate or assistant ministers feel called to preach but receive few opportunities in their local church. Faithful ministry often requires serving in supporting roles while finding other outlets to proclaim God’s Word.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Colossians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 15:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Support, Preaching, opportunity, lead, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pastoral Transition: Setting Your Church Up For Ministry Success After You're Gone

By Karl Vaters on Oct 19, 2023

Following a long-term, successful pastorate is one of the hardest callings in ministry. Every pastor should do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for the next pastor and the church to do great ministry after we leave.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: leadership, servant leadership, Pastoral Transition, Decentralize, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)