In Preaching Articles: "Church Community"

Six Stages Of A Dying Church

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 22, 2022

It’s not a pleasant topic. But if we don’t talk about dying churches, we will act like there are no problems.

Tags: e, Leadership, church attendance, Pastoral Ministry, Dying Church, church ministry, revitalization, Correcting Mistakes, Facing Problems, leadership, Church Attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Are Small Churches Less Fruitful?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 26, 2022

Does the size of a church always speak of its faithfulness?

Scripture: John 15:5, Matthew 7:20, Matthew 12:33-34, Luke 3:9-14, Luke 3:8, Matthew 13:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Trusting God, Church Growth, Church size, Love One Another, ministry, Ministry, Fruit, Faithfulness  (view more)  (view less)

The Central Message Of The Church Is Reconciliation

By Jeff K. Clarke on Oct 10, 2022

“The essence of forgiveness is absorbing pain instead of giving it.” – Timothy Keller

Scripture: Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Tags: God's Love, forgive, Forgiveness in Jesus, gospel proclamation, The Church's Message, gospel, Forgiveness, Gospel, Reconciliation  (view more)  (view less)

When Church Members Leave: How Pastors Carry The Quiet Wound

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

Pastors feel deep pain when people leave their church. Understanding why it happens and how to respond wisely can turn hurt into growth, humility, and renewed strength.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, John 6:66-67, Proverbs 19:11, Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices, connect, church  (view more)  (view less)

Five Strategic Advantages Of Small Churches

By Brandon O'brien on Feb 14, 2024

Brandon O'Brien offers five strengths that he believes are inherent in small congregations, which can leverage these characteristics for ministry success.

Tags: Church, Growth, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Small Church, Church General, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching God’s Word Is Timeless (Find The Timeless Truth)

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 25, 2022

The Bible is wholly relevant to the modern person’s life sometimes it just takes some work for us to figure that out. The idea of making a “timeless truth” central to your sermon is important in communicating God’s Word in a postmodern age.

Tags: teaching, Preaching Help, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching, communication, preaching, Scripture, Communication, Teaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Leading In Times Of Uncertainty

By Lance Witt on Aug 31, 2023

Frustration and anger are pervasive throughout our culture. Underlying the anger and emotion is a deep fear. These are uncertain times and people feel it.

Tags: lead, Communication General, faith in uncertainty, Intimacy With God

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)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Whether we are a critic or a lover of the church — or for some of us, both — it's important to remain balanced.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things That Are Not So Wrong With The Church

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 4, 2022

I’ve noticed that for a couple thousand years now, the church has had this tendency to be quick to point out what is wrong with the church, but slow to affirm what is right.

Tags: Church, Culture, negative, Church Health, church, culture  (view more)  (view less)

11 Signs Your Church Is Going Extinct

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 13, 2025

Unless you’re in a free fall right now, it can be hard to know whether your congregation will thrive, survive or take a dive in the next decade.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1-11

Tags: Church, Preaching, preaching, church

Eight Things I Like About The Church…and Five I Hate.

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 7, 2023

Show me a Christian who can please God better alone than with other believers and I’ll show you a one-of-a-kind, something never before seen on planet Earth. The Lord thought you and I would be needing each other, so placed us in a church fellowship when He saved us.

Tags: Church, Preaching, preaching, church

6 Sermon Myths We Need To Bust

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jan 13, 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.

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Pastors Never Know Who’s In The Audience

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 18, 2022

When a pastor stands to preach, he never knows who is listening to him. And if his sermon is recorded or broadcast, he has no clue who will be hearing his words. He will do well to make sure he knows what he’s talking about.

Tags: Preaching Blunders, communication, preaching, teaching, Teaching, Preaching, preaching tips, pastoral leadership, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, Communication  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Church Stuck Or Just Small?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 11, 2025

If your church is healthy, quit stressing about getting bigger. God may not be calling you to bigness.

Scripture: Acts 1:1-15

Tags: Healthy Church, effective, Small Church, Growth, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)