In Preaching Articles: "Central Point"

Reluctant Leadership Is Better Than Nothing

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 17, 2021

You ask the question and–this is critical–you remain standing. You are not just expressing a point of view, you are asking for answers. And you are doing so in such a sweet manner, no one can accuse you of trying to stir up anything.

Scripture: Romans 9:1-20

Tags: responsibility, Preaching, hurting people, servant leadership

When A Pastor Is A Growth Barrier - Part One: Dealing With Sin

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 14, 2024

I have worked for a long time to help pastors with growth barriers in their church. They can be anything from worship issues to strategy to theology and more. So many barriers can get in the way of a church growing, but a central one isn’t found in the processes of the church. There may be a number of reasons a ministry grows cold and a church slows down. But often, the heart of the problem is the heart of the pastor.

Tags: CLERGY SIN

Say Hard Things

By Marshall Segal on Apr 13, 2021

When was the last time someone told you you were wrong? If you can’t remember, you may have reason to be concerned. Sometimes the most loving thing someone can do for us is point out an error or inconsistency in the way we think or live.

Scripture: Matthew 6:16, Romans 12:3, Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 1:6-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 13:7, Galatians 2:11-14, Acts 10:28, Acts 15:11, 2 Chronicles 7:14-19, Matthew 6:18, 1 Peter 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Humility, Confrontation, Grace and Truth

The Benefit Of A Church Crisis

By Josh Reich on Feb 15, 2021

Nobody likes a crisis. No one likes bad news or being disappointed or being uncomfortable. We like when things work, when things are easy, when things go our way. Yet if you are a leader, at some point you will walk through a crisis with your church.

Scripture: Acts 12:1-10

Tags: Preaching, crisis

Your Thoughts Will Betray You

By Christina Fox on Jun 13, 2022

A certain amount of self-evaluation can be good. We should have insight into ourselves, our motives, our choices, and our actions. But sometimes we can go too far. When self-evaluation ends with ourselves instead of pointing us beyond ourselves, there’s a problem.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians 11:28, Philippians 2:3-8, John 17:17, Romans 8:32, Psalm 139:23, 1 John 2:1, Isaiah 43:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Rely on Grace, Remember the Gospel

6 Sermon Myths We Need To Bust

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jan 12, 2021

Preaching is one of the most demanding tasks required of communicators. You’re not just giving a ‘talk,’ you’re communicating the Word of God—faithfully (you trust). And you do this in front of groups of people who have more communication options and sources than at any point in human history. Not an easy task.

Tags:

Increasing Youth Retention And Involvement In Your Church

By John Gilman Ii on Mar 23, 2021

Families have long been the cornerstone of church congregations. Parents bring their children to church every Sunday. At a certain point, it becomes the children’s choice and responsibility to decide if they want to continue going to church every Sunday or not. That’s why it’s so important to show your children God’s grace and make Him a priority in their life from an early age.

Scripture: Malachi 2:15, Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Youth, Small groups, Equipping Disciples, Youth Ministry, paying attention  (view more)  (view less)

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 16, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the chance to sit down with a former staff member that had served on my team more than a decade ago. We really hadn’t kept in touch very much. At one point during our lunch the conversation turned more serious. And in a moment of candor he said to me “You know, you weren’t very easy to work for.” The truth is, he was right.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 2:11-13

Tags: unteachable spirit, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership, Humility, leadership, Accountability, Rebuke, Teachable, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Leading *chreasters* To Christ: 8 Ideas

By SermonCentral on Apr 2, 2020

Here's how you can reach the people who attend your church only on Christmas and Easter.

Tags: Church, Outreach, New, interest

15 Fresh, Powerful Thanksgiving Quotes

By SermonCentral on Nov 22, 2020

Thanksgiving has a centuries-old history. Here's what great minds (old and new) have said about giving thanks.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thanksgiving, CS Lewis, Quotes, charles spurgeon

1,700 Years Old And Still Fresh: St. Gregory Of Nazianzus' Christmas Sermon

By SermonCentral on Dec 23, 2019

The Eternal Word is ever new. Come celebrate with saints centuries old.

Scripture: Isaiah 17:1-14

Tags: Christmas, Preaching, eternal world

Everyone Else Is Preparing For Christmas--Are You?

By SermonCentral on Nov 15, 2020

It's not too early! Brandon Cox shares his ideas for a Christmas sermon series sure to connect with your congregation.

Tags: Christmas, Hope, Preaching, prepare, receiving, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Practices Of A Peaceful Home

By SermonCentral on Jun 18, 2019

It's so much easier to share God's peace from the pulpit if you experience God's peace at home.

Scripture: Mark 10:17

Tags: Preaching

Adapt Or Fail: 6 Steps Any Church Can Take

By SermonCentral on Jun 16, 2019

Small churches have the ability to adapt more quickly than our larger counterparts. Like steering a speedboat instead of an ocean liner.

Scripture: Exodus 23:20-33

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Can We Put An End To Trite Preaching And Teaching?

By SermonCentral on Jun 24, 2019

TRITE / (Adjective) Overused and consequently of little import, lacking originality or freshness.

Tags: Preaching