In Preaching Articles: "Call To Ministry"

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)

One Critical Conviction

By Peter Mead on Apr 28, 2021

A preaching ministry is built on a whole set of convictions. Convictions about God, the Gospel, about people, about ministry.

Tags: Communication, Bible Influence, Bible Relevance, reading the bible, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Making The Move To Noteless Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 6, 2021

Preachers can move from full manuscripts to notes or even no notes by simplifying structure, relying more on the text, and practicing intentional oral delivery.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Overcoming Blind Spots In The Pulpit

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 21, 2020

Every preacher gravitates toward familiar themes. Identifying and addressing pulpit blind spots helps congregations grow into spiritual maturity and biblical balance.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 4:13-15, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Growth, Pastoral Ministry

Why The Clarity Of Scripture Deserves More Attention

By Peter Mead on Aug 6, 2021

The church rightly affirms the authority of Scripture but often neglects its clarity. Preaching should strengthen confidence in God’s Word, not undermine it.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7, Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Embrace The 5 Types Of Church Visitor

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 6, 2020

Not all church visitors come for the same reasons. Understanding why people visit can help churches respond wisely and increase the likelihood they return.

Scripture: Romans 15:7, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: guest, Hospitality, Pastoral Ministry

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching The Prophets

By Peter Mead on Sep 9, 2024

The prophets are bold, unsettling, and hope-filled. Preaching from them brings clarity, urgency, and relevance to a church living in familiar spiritual conditions.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 53:1-6, Daniel 1:1-7, Habakkuk 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Preach So They Feel It: Beyond Information Transfer

By Peter Mead on Oct 7, 2020

Great preaching is not about cramming in more content but about helping people feel the truth of Scripture. Here’s how to move from dense information to transformative proclamation.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Luke 24:32, Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 23:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Message, develop, Pastoral Ministry

Why Every Sermon Needs A Strong Title

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Dec 10, 2021

Some preachers question whether sermon titles are necessary, but a well-chosen title can clarify, guide, and reinforce the main point of a message for both preacher and listener.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Choose, title, Pastoral Ministry

A Pastor's Dilemma: What To Do When You Can't See The Vision For Your Church

By Karl Vaters on May 12, 2022

Not every pastor is called to cast a grand, singular vision for their congregation.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: vision, pastoral leadership, Great Commandment, Vision Casting

57 Leadership Tips For Pastors

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 21, 2025

Joe McKeever distills decades of pastoral wisdom into fifty-seven clear, practical leadership lessons that help pastors lead with integrity, courage, humility, and spiritual focus.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-12

Tags: spiritual formation, Leadership, ministry, preaching, Spiritual Formation, Ministry, leadership, Preaching, Delegate  (view more)  (view less)

A Risk Worth Taking

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Apr 9, 2024

Are you tired? Worn down by the pace of life and ministry? Do you feel like the abundant life may not be for ministry leaders?

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-2, Deuteronomy 5:6

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, relationships, Rest, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Matt Chandler: First And Foremost, I'm A Preacher

By Matt Chandler on Jul 18, 2025

There's no limit to the distractions facing a pastor, but in the end we are called to preach.

Tags: Preacher, Matt Chandler, limit, Distraction, preaching, preacher, 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: Criticism, Apathy, Gossip, slander, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Negative Response, Backbiting, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Believe In Miracles? Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 10, 2024

How do you define a "win" in ministry?

Tags: leadership, success, goals, pastoral leadership, success in ministry, church ministry, Mental Toughness, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)