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)

Why Relational Preaching Is Harder And More Powerful

By Chris Surber on Apr 23, 2025

Faithful preaching is not detached proclamation but relational burden-bearing. Pastors who live among their people preach with greater urgency, intimacy, and impact.

Scripture: John 6:66-71, Galatians 6:2, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 1 Timothy 4:16, Ephesians 4:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship

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: Nehemiah, leadership, Discouragement, thought life, pastoral leadership, Blessings, Burdens, 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: Preaching, Authenticity, preaching

Is Preaching Overrated?

By Charles Kiser on Jul 3, 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: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

9 Ways To Preach A Lousy Sermon

By Ben Reed on Aug 25, 2020

Want to sabotage your preaching? Neglect prayer, ignore the text, avoid vulnerability, and heap burdens on your people.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, James 3:1, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Faith, Fear, endurance, Preaching, prosper, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways To Keep Your Evangelistic Edge In Preaching

By J. John on Apr 1, 2020

Evangelistic preaching flows from a heart on fire for the lost. Be yourself, be prayerful, be clear, and be practical so the gospel connects and bears fruit.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:5, 2 Corinthians 5:14, Isaiah 6:9-10, Matthew 13:13-15, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, evangelism, Evangelism Training

Do You Preach Like A Pharisee?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 27, 2024

Pharisaical preaching burdens people with opinions, moralism, and guilt while starving them of grace. The pulpit must reflect Christ, not control.

Scripture: Matthew 23:4, Matthew 23:5, Titus 2:11-12, Galatians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 4:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Preaching, guilt, spiritual leadership, grace, preaching, Spiritual Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The 4 Pillars Of Guest Preaching

By Pete Wilson on Jan 5, 2023

Guest speakers can bless churches or burden them. Here are practical ways to honor the pastor, respect the house, and communicate well without creating chaos.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40, Hebrews 13:17, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Colossians 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Teaching, leadership, Preaching, Leadership, communication, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Secrets Many Senior Pastors Keep

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 14, 2024

Senior pastors lead with conviction, but many quietly carry pressure, loneliness, fear of failure, and the weight of others’ burdens. These ten realities reveal the heart behind the role.

Scripture: James 5:17, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 13:17

Tags: spiritual health, Spiritual Health

Avoiding Legalistic Application In Biblical Preaching

By Peter Mead on Dec 25, 2020

Preachers can unintentionally turn Scripture into a burden when they apply texts too narrowly. Faithful preaching keeps the gospel central when applying both narratives and epistles.

Scripture: Luke 24:27, Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:1, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Tags: Preaching, view, Wide, epistle, sermons, preaching, Sermons  (view more)  (view less)