In Preaching Articles: "Bearing Burdens"

The Light-Hearted Pastor Is An Oxymoron

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 26, 2022

To expect to carry the message without feeling the weight is asking a little much.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:28

Tags: pressure, Human Weakness, bearing burdens, Pastoral Ministry

What To Do When Someone Close To You Is Hurting

By Josh Reich on Jun 19, 2022

Let’s face it, when someone hurts us, we can brush it off and often move on. We can be tough, ignore it, deal with it or get even (although that rarely helps), but something changes when it is our spouse, kids, a close friend or a family member who is hurt. We feel powerless in that moment.

Tags: pastoral leadership, bearing burdens, shepherding, counseling, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

Death To Dancing Bears

By Lance Witt on May 30, 2022

“Sometimes as a worship pastor,” he said, “I feel like a dancing bear. It’s my job to get up and perform for the crowd, and as long as the performance is good, everyone is happy. Except me. Something is missing and I don’t know what to do.”

Tags: Ministry, burnout, pastoral leadership, Lost Focus, People Over Programs, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Being A Pastor: Blessing Or Burden? Part 1

By Lance Witt on Apr 28, 2024

How do you not let the burden of ministry not rob you of the blessing of ministry?

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, Exodus 28:29, Philippians 1:7

Tags: Humility, Stewardship, Shepherd, Organize, Jesus' church  (view more)  (view less)

Being A Pastor: Blessing Or Burden? Part 2

By Lance Witt on Apr 30, 2024

None of us are exempt from the danger of cynicism and turning ministry into nothing more than a job.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Humility, leadership, Authenticity, Unselfish, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Bust Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Sep 27, 2022

"Discouragement is a universal experience for ministry leaders and the word actually self-defines itself…dis-courage meaning no courage. Some of the Bible’s greatest characters faced it: Moses, David, Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the apostles. Nehemiah, the great Old Testament leader faced it when he led the Jews to rebuild the wall. Yet, his response offers us hope when we face it."

Scripture: Psalm 77:11, Nehemiah 4:10-21

Tags: Blessings, Burdens, Leadership, Nehemiah, leadership, Discouragement, thought life, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Sincerity In Preaching Can't Be Faked: Do You Have It?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 25, 2025

Eight tips on "bearing your honest heart" for greater preaching impact.

Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15, Exodus 32:1-14

Tags: Authenticity, preaching, Preaching

Is Preaching Overrated?

By Charles Kiser on Jul 4, 2020

Preaching matters, but when it becomes the primary engine of discipleship, it may carry a weight it was never meant to bear.

Scripture: Acts 2:1-37, Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 10:39, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Ephesians 4:11-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, church planting, spiritual formation, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Church Planting  (view more)  (view less)

The Arrogance Of Preaching

By Kenton C. Anderson on Jan 19, 2025

Preaching appears arrogant to people overwhelmed by the limitations of their perspective. Perspective becomes an asset as the preacher bears witness to God in the flesh.

Scripture: Leviticus 5:2-6

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, pastor, Pride, Arrogance, Pastor, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Preacher's Task: Saving Souls Or Making Disciples?

By Nathan Aaseng on Jul 19, 2021

"Don't confuse me with the one who saves souls; I'm just a messenger bearing good news."

Scripture: John 6:26-51

Tags: Soul, Preaching, Disciples, saved, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Preachers Never Say – Pt.2

By Peter Mead on May 7, 2024

This series looks at seven things preachers never say. Last time we thought about the burden of expectation. How about this for another: The negative outcomes of both criticism and apathy.

Tags: church ministry, Negative Response, Backbiting, criticism, Criticism, Apathy, Gossip, slander, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper: Bible-Oriented Preaching Or Entertainment?

By John Piper on Aug 23, 2024

"There are few things that burden me more or refresh me more than saying what I see in the Bible. I love to savor it. And I love to say it."

Scripture: John 17:20

Tags: Scripture, Preaching, Entertainment, preaching

The Double-Edged Sword Of Ambition

By Lance Witt on Jul 9, 2024

Ambition is a blessing and a curse. When it is God-directed and Spirit-managed, it can bear tremendous fruit. But when it is hijacked by self and ego, it can leave a wake of destruction in its path.

Tags: entering God's rest, ministry vision, Faithfulness, motivation, Ambition, Rest in Christ, pastoral leadership, personal holiness  (view more)  (view less)

15 Things Young Preachers Need To Know About Seniors

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 22, 2021

“They will still bear fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and very green…” (Psalm 92:14). All generalizations are false. Including this one. Every rule has its exceptions. Including this one. Even so, I’m going to make some general statements about seniors.

Tags: Change, valuing one another, care for elderly, Generations

The Lord’s Prayer, A Missional Reading: Give Us Daily Bread

By Dr. Nijay Gupta on Apr 7, 2021

The “missional theology” movement has injected energy and life into the church. Who isn’t inspired when reading Emil Brunner’s famous words, “The church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning”? Missional theology has motivated many Christians and churches to seek out their purpose in God of bearing and embodying the good news of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Exodus 16:1-36, John 6:1-71, Matthew 4:1-25

Tags: Humility, Lord's Prayer, Missional, walk by faith