In Preaching Articles: "Christian Growth"

10 Reasons Small Churches Tend To Stay Small

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

After working for years among hundreds of small congregations, Joe McKeever speaks to the subtle growth barriers that tend to go unnoticed or unaddressed in stagnant churches.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Small Church, Church Practices, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

What A Seminary Degree Will Not Do

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 22, 2023

“I have all this education and training. Why won’t churches call me as pastor?”

Tags: training, education, Seminary, Christian Education, calling, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Angry with God  (view more)  (view less)

How Do You Prepare Your Child For Adulthood?

By Brian Croft on Jan 2, 2023

Many of you knew I was on a trip with my 13 year-old son recently. What was the occasion? My wife and I promised each of our children when they turned 13 years old, they would get to take a special trip with one of us.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 3:1-7

Tags: protection, Shepherd, parenting, discipling, Role of Men, Christian fathers, teach children, Godly Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

What Does It Really Mean To "Go Deeper”?

By Alan Danielson on May 2, 2020

Alan Danielson offers his take on one of the most overrated comments in the church today.

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 2:7

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, Leadership, preaching, church, Thought, Church, leadership  (view more)  (view less)

What's The Big Idea Behind Your Sermon?

By Peter Mead on Jun 28, 2019

Ideas change lives. People give themselves to ideas. And Christianity is a content-based faith

Tags: Preaching

Five Preaching Applications From The Movie Gravity

By Jacob Myers on Jan 14, 2023

In "Gravity" we find a poignant portrayal of what Christian discipleship might look like.

Tags: Gravity, preaching, Faith, Preaching, Prayer, illustration  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Nov 20, 2024

"I have been a Christian for over 25 years, and God has had to redirect me on multiple things because of what I mistakenly believed early on about being a Christian. And it is better to learn sooner than later."

Scripture: Colossians 3:13

Tags: Preaching, Pray, Mentor, love your neighbor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Mar 7, 2025

"I have been a Christian for over twenty-five years, and God has had to redirect me on multiple things because of what I mistakenly believed early on about being a Christian. And it is better to learn sooner than later."

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, James 4:10, Romans 5:8

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, temptation, Deliverance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Can We Give Thanks In All Circumstances?

By Jon Bloom on Nov 3, 2022

"There is only one way. And Jesus both is the way (John 14:6) and shows the way."

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Grace, Thanksgiving, Joy, Hope, Christian Joy, Thanksgiving Holiday, giving thanks, in all things, grace  (view more)  (view less)

3 Lessons I Learned From Jerry Rice About Preaching

By Derwin Gray on Jun 26, 2024

Evangelism Linebacker Derwin Gray talks about how he became a better preacher by admiring NFL record-holder Jerry Rice.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:16-19

Tags: Evangelism The Lost, evangelism, gospel, preaching, Witness, Gospel, Sports, Preaching, football, Christian Witness, Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Significant Thing A Pastor Will Ever Do

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 9, 2024

The most valuable ministry thing you have done just may be the time you stopped to encourage a homeless man and bought him lunch.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Tags: Faithfulness, priorities, Servanthood, Christian Love, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

A Key To Healthy Relationships

By Josh Reich on Dec 12, 2022

I think hospitality has the power to change the relationships we have. It is that powerful.

Tags: Community, Welcome, invite, Hospitality, Christian Love, serve others, Love One Another, Intentionality, community  (view more)  (view less)

How To Do Justice And Not Undermine Evangelism

By Don Carson on Feb 17, 2025

How do Christians work for justice in the world and not undermine the centrality of evangelism? Don Carson responds.

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Evangelism How To, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

9 Keys To Reach More Men With Your Preaching

By Josh Reich on Feb 7, 2020

If the father is the first in the household to become a Christian, there is a 93 percent probability everyone else in the home will follow.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:1-17, Hebrews 12:13-17

Tags: Men, Preaching, sermon, Sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Complaining Never Wins The Culture

By Trevin Wax on May 4, 2022

What if the biggest danger ahead for Christians today is something we don’t expect, but should?

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-16, 1 John 5:19, Psalm 78:17-20, Philippians 2:25, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 11:33-34  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: gratitude, Culture, Complaining, Grumbling, culture  (view more)  (view less)