In Preaching Articles: "Avoiding Burnout"

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 5, 2025

Commentaries help with study, not sermon writing. Avoid atomized thinking, over-quoting, and needless citations to keep preaching clear and transformative.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 4:13-16

Tags: Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, Commentary, Bible Study, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, bible study, preaching, Sermon prep, commentary  (view more)  (view less)

R. C. Sproul: Why Good Teaching Is Simple But Never Simplistic

By R. C. Sproul on Jan 2, 2023

Effective teaching does not avoid complexity but translates it. True mastery shows itself in clarity that simplifies without distorting truth.

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 9:9, Luke 24:27, Matthew 13:34-35, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship

Top 13 Preaching Mistakes

By Bob Hostetler on Jan 12, 2025

A practical guide outlining 13 common preaching mistakes, with tips to avoid them and deliver sermons that are clear, Christ-centered, and spiritually nourishing.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, expository preaching, sermon preparation, Preaching Tips  (view more)  (view less)

10 Mistakes Churches Make At Christmastime

By Jonathan Howe on Dec 20, 2024

Unfortunately stress can lead churches to plan poorly and make unnecessary mistakes. Here are ten such mistakes to avoid in your church this Christmas.

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Holidays, prepare, focus on GOD, Christmas Gospel, church priorities, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching Too Deep Or Too Shallow?

By Craig Groeschel on Feb 4, 2025

Preaching must be simple and relevant, but never at the cost of spiritual depth. True transformation comes from Scripture-driven messages that avoid both extremes.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:13

Tags: Death, Teaching, Preaching, deep, Expository, preaching, teaching, expository, Balanced  (view more)  (view less)

Study: What Preachers Won't Preach About

By Toni Ridgaway on Mar 27, 2020

Over half of pastors avoid certain topics for fear of losing attendees. This report raises hard questions about courage, clarity, and faithfulness in preaching.

Scripture: Acts 20:17-32

Tags: Preaching, preaching, Biblical Faithfulness

5 Right And Wrong Ways To Deal With Criticism

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 20, 2025

Criticism is inevitable in leadership. Here are five wrong responses to avoid and five wise practices that help leaders learn, grow, and steward feedback well.

Scripture: Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 19:20, James 1:19, Ecclesiastes 7:5

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Criticism, Confidence, evaluation, criticism, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Problems With Being Too Nice As A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 14, 2020

Leaders who avoid hard conversations hurt themselves, their teams, and underperforming staff. Here are three reasons excessive niceness undermines effective leadership.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 9:8-9, Colossians 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching, Organizational Health  (view more)  (view less)

7 Tips For Preaching The Prophets

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 9, 2023

Many Christians avoid prophetic books because they feel complicated and distant. Here is a simple seven-step approach to reading them with clarity and confidence.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Samuel 3:10, Proverbs 11:14, James 1:22, Malachi 1:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 15, 2022

Pastoral calling can fade under pressure, success, or discouragement. This reflection uncovers why ministers lose sight of their call and how to remember it again.

Tags: Church, Call, pastor, Pastors, Small Church, Church General, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Reasonable Compensation For Pastors And Ministers

By Thomas J. Winters on Jan 9, 2025

Pastoral compensation must be fair, transparent, and compliant with IRS standards. This guide explains how churches determine reasonable pay and avoid excess benefit violations.

Tags: Money, Leader, Budget, pastor, finances, practice, Speculation, Church Practices, Leadership General, Church Governance, Pastor, leader, Pastoral Compensation, IRS Compliance, Nonprofit Accountability, Minister Pay  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Keep Your Church Small And How To Overcome Them

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jul 17, 2020

Many churches remain small because of unbiblical assumptions and avoidable habits. Learn how vision, planning, stability, and evangelistic focus can reverse that trajectory.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Luke 15:4, Acts 2:47, Colossians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 3:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Church Growth, preaching, Ministry Strategy

Bridging The Church Communication Gap

By Barry Whitlow on Jun 19, 2020

Seventy percent avoid church because our communication no longer connects. Reaching them requires bold change, cultural awareness, and clearer, relevant preaching.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Colossians 4:5-6, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14-15

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

Funerals: 6 Things We Should–and Shouldn't–do

By Jared Moore on Jun 22, 2020

Funeral preaching demands clarity, compassion, and gospel focus. These guidelines help pastors navigate what to emphasize and what to avoid when ministering at graveside moments.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:12, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, Luke 16:27-31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Biblical wisdom, Biblical Wisdom

Narrative Preaching: Do You Make These 10 Mistakes?

By Peter Mead on Jul 2, 2020

Biblical narratives lose their power when preachers flatten them into lessons or principles. Avoid common pitfalls and learn how to preach stories as God intended.

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Judges 6:11-24, Luke 10:25-37, John 2:1-11

Tags: Preaching Ministry