In Preaching Articles: "Church Development"

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 20, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 30, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)

What If We Made Disciples And Left Church Growth To God?

By Karl Vaters on Sep 6, 2022

If we prioritized health, not as a means to growth, but as an end in itself, would we be in a greater position to represent Jesus to the world?

Tags: Discipleship, Church Growth, Make Disciples, great commission, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Growth Strategy, Equip the Saints  (view more)  (view less)

God’s Great Evangelistic Plan

By Peter Mead on Sep 27, 2022

"God’s plan to reach people with the gospel is not primarily evangelists or apologists, although both are vitally important. God’s plan to reach people with the gospel is the church."

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Testimony, great commission, Church Purpose of, Evangelism How To, gospel proclamation, Enjoy God, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 16, 2022

Pastoral calling can fade under pressure, success, or discouragement. This reflection uncovers why ministers lose sight of their call and how to remember it again.

Tags: Church, Call, pastor, Pastors, Small Church, Church General, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Five Essential Reasons For Christians To Gather In Public Worship

By Brian Croft on Nov 2, 2023

Does church attendance really matter? Here are five important reasons why it is essential that every Christian gather with other Christians in the same local church weekly to hear the preaching of God’s Word.

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Hebrews 10:25, Hebrews 13:17

Tags: Community, Discipleship, Church Attendance, church membership, Christian community, Growing in Faith, Connected, Covenant Community, community, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Shepherd God’s Flock: Equipping God’s People

By Chris Pascarella on Nov 7, 2022

"According to Scripture, pastors are called to equip the flock to do the work of ministry!"

Scripture: Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: Called to serve, be the church, Church Body of Christ, pastoral leadership, equipped for service, Equipping Disciples, Equipping The Body, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Practical Ideas For Servant Evangelism

By Steve Sjogren on Apr 8, 2023

Servant evangelism uses simple acts of kindness to nudge people toward God. These practical, low-cost ideas help churches connect with their communities with high grace.

Scripture: John 4:5-26, John 15:9-17

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, Servant, Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Didn’t Wake Up This Morning Depressed By The Size Of Your Church

By Karl Vaters on Apr 18, 2022

Jesus knows what happened and didn’t happen in church last Sunday.

Tags: Depression, Marriage Faithfulness, Church Attendance, God's perspective, e, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

What Does It Mean To Have The Heart Of A Pastor?

By Lance Witt on Apr 24, 2024

What qualities make a leader great? Hebrews describes the most important quality: heart. But what does it mean to have the heart of a pastor?

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1, Exodus 28:29-30, Jeremiah 3:15

Tags: Heart, Pastors, Church leaders

5 Ways To Keep Your Church Small And How To Overcome Them

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jul 18, 2020

Many churches remain small because of unbiblical assumptions and avoidable habits. Learn how vision, planning, stability, and evangelistic focus can reverse that trajectory.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7, Luke 15:4, Acts 2:47, Colossians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 3:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Church Growth, preaching, Ministry Strategy

Why Strategic Guest Speakers Can Spark Evangelism And Church Growth

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 9, 2023

High-profile guests can motivate invitations, attract visitors, reengage lapsed members, and strengthen systems when used wisely and sparingly.

Scripture: John 4:29, Luke 14:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 13:44, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Christianity, Church Growth, Guest speaker, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Smaller Churches Can Do Discipleship—without Wearing Out The Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 12, 2021

After a few hit-and-miss attempts, our church has discovered a simple five-step process that can work for any small church.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Process, Small Church, Limitations, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preach The Past: Discover Powerful Illustrations And Lessons From Church History

By Chris Surber on Oct 1, 2025

A working knowledge of Church history teaches us to be humble. Our footprints aren’t the first tracks on this road.

Scripture: Acts 2:13-40, Acts 25:1-17

Tags:

What Do I Do With Church Members Who Hate Me?

By Brian Croft on Nov 24, 2021

At this point, some of you may be thinking these kinds of people are a good reason to leave and start over, but I submit to you they are actually a good reason to stay and endure. Why are these difficult people a good reason to stay and endure?

Tags: Preaching, preaching