In Preaching Articles: "Challenge"

Was Jesus Numerically Challenged?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 28, 2020

Is numerical growth proof of God’s grace? This reflection questions the assumption that size equals faithfulness and contrasts modern metrics with Jesus’ slow, seed-shaped vision of the church.

Scripture: Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, 1 Peter 2:5, Matthew 13:31-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Faithfulness, number

Five Of The Hardest Challenges Pastors Face

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 9, 2020

Pastoral ministry carries unique pressures that few see. These five challenges reveal why shepherding God’s people requires grace, wisdom, and endurance.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-4, James 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: gentle, Pastor Care

Leading Like Jesus Means Making Big Challenges

By James Scott on Jun 22, 2021

Jesus never shied away from calling people to make big changes--do you?

Tags: Jesus, obedience, challenge, Follow

Will More Invitations Result In More Salvations?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 28, 2021

For a long time I’ve wondered if there is a relationship between the number of salvations a church experiences, and the number of times it offers salvation invitations. We’ll never know for sure, but I’m conducting an experiment this year.

Tags: Outreach, challenge, preaching the gospel, gospel invitation, Gospel Challenge  (view more)  (view less)

The Top Secret Agendas Carried By Your Congregation

By Chris Surber on Sep 10, 2021

Every church member carries an agenda in the secret briefcase of their heart. What's their agenda?

Tags: Preaching, challenge, Congregation, Agenda, Affirm  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remarkable Discoveries From 263 Interviews About Sermons

By Ron Allen on Oct 3, 2021

It seems like a no-brainer, yet preachers rarely seek direct input from listeners about how we might improve our preaching.

Scripture: Philippians 1:5-10

Tags: Preaching, challenge, point of view, listener

Shooing Flies In The Pulpit

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Apr 21, 2021

To be honest, I have had to shoo flies in the pulpit many times. If you are a preacher, so have you. No, not literal flies (I hope). But preachers regularly have to push through various distractions.

Tags: Preaching, focus, distractions, Challenges, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Must-Have Qualities You Should Find In Any Good Preacher

By Ben Mandrell on Aug 27, 2025

God has called preachers to be faithful rather than successful. How can we be sure we are staying true to the call? What makes a faithful preacher?

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Study, Preaching, ancient, teach, challenge, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Should Preach The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Jul 17, 2023

Believe it or not doing something as simple as giving the Gospel in every sermon can literally transform your church.

Scripture: Matthew 26:26-28, Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:31-34, Acts 26:17-18, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Colossians 4:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communion, challenge, preaching the gospel, gospel invitation

Four Mistakes Pastors Make In Giving A Gospel Invitation

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Apr 16, 2024

I have spent more than 40 years in evangelism and specifically evangelistic preaching. Interacting with pastors across the world has been one of the greatest privileges I enjoy. From that experience, I would like to share the four common mistakes pastors make in giving a gospe linvitation at the conclusion of a message.

Scripture: Acts 2:23, John 20:31

Tags: confusion, preaching the gospel, gospel invitation, Challenges

Would You Rather Hear *good Sermon, Pastor* Or *you Just Destroyed My World*?

By David Fitch on Feb 3, 2023

There's a difference between safe, enjoyable preaching and challenging the listener. How do you divide the two?

Tags: Devil, Preaching, Safe, challenge, listener, enjoyable, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Willing To Be Misunderstood -- From The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 21, 2024

Sherman Cox takes up Will Willimon's challenge to preachers everywhere.

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-13

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Relevance, Confront, will willimon, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Death By Ministry

By Eugene Cho on Jan 22, 2025

Pastoral ministry is rewarding yet deeply taxing. These insights and statistics reveal its strain, spiritual battles, and the urgent need to care for our pastors well.

Tags: Ministry, leadership, pastor, Servanthood, Church Body of Christ, Pastor, Leadership, ministry challenges, ministry, pastor encouragement, Pastoral Health, Ministry Challenges, Pastor Encouragement, Clergy Wellness  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching: What To Cut, What To Add

By Peter Mead on Sep 23, 2020

Experienced preachers know the real challenge is in what to leave out of a sermon.

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Preaching: What To Cut, What To Add

By Peter Mead on Oct 7, 2020

Experienced preachers know the real challenge is in what to leave out of a sermon.

Tags: Message, Preaching, develop