In Preaching Articles: "Church Development"

A Simple Exercise That Will Infuse Life Into Your Staff

By Charles Stone on Jul 25, 2023

Recently our church staff held our annual in-house evaluation retreat when we reviewed the prior year’s goals and plans. God had given us a good year and we wanted not only to discuss how we could improve, but rejoice in His blessings.

Scripture: Psalm 9:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Thankfulness, gratitude, Leadership General, church leadership

Courageous Conversations - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 5, 2023

Here is my track record. Hundreds of times I have talked myself out of having a courageous conversation. EVERY time I have finally had the courageous conversation, I walked away wishing I had done it sooner.

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: conflict, Courageous, church conflict, speaking truth

How To Build A Healthy Elder Team

By Josh Reich on Apr 25, 2022

If there is one thing pastors know well, it is the pain that can stem from a poorly run elder team.

Tags: Eldership, Elders Church, elders, Elder Qualification

Being A Pastor: Blessing Or Burden? Part 1

By Lance Witt on Apr 29, 2024

How do you not let the burden of ministry not rob you of the blessing of ministry?

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, Exodus 28:29, Philippians 1:7

Tags: Humility, Stewardship, Shepherd, Organize, Jesus' church  (view more)  (view less)

Re-Imagining Leadership

By Dan White Jr. on Oct 3, 2024

What does it really mean to grow in Christian leadership?

Tags: leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership

Handling A Hurricane… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Nov 10, 2023

It is going to happen. Take it to the bank. You can count on it. Someone on your team or in your organization will have a disastrous moral failure. So how do your prepare?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:12

Tags: leadership, conflict management, Leadership, Pastoral Ministry, disasters, church ministry, Leadership Failure, Moral failure, Church Crisis  (view more)  (view less)

Liquid Teams

By Lance Witt on Nov 28, 2023

What are the makings of an exceptional team?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Tags: Leadership, team building, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church leadership, Team Dynamics, e, leadership, strategy, Teamwork  (view more)  (view less)

The Top Ten Sources Of Discouragement For Pastors

By Thom Rainer on May 20, 2024

“Is this valley I am going through normal for pastors?”

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, criticism, Criticism, Discouragement, church conflict, pastoral leadership, Financial Management, family dynamics  (view more)  (view less)

The Antidote To Anemic Worship

By Albert Mohler on Nov 28, 2022

The anemia of evangelical worship—all the music and energy aside—is directly attributable to the absence of genuine expository preaching. Such preaching would confront the congregation with nothing less than the living and active Word of God.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8

Tags: preaching, expository, Expository, Worship God, Church worship, Acceptable Worship, corporate worship, church leadership, Music, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 8—reinforce Life Application (Transfer)

By Charles Stone on Jan 4, 2024

Reinforce Life Application is the final instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: James 1:22

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, preacher, church, Sermon prep, Preacher, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

You'll Never Bring Lasting Change To Your Church If You Skip These Two Steps

By John Holm on May 15, 2023

Anyone can introduce new ideas. Making them last is something else entirely.

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-5

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Don't Just Sit There: 8 Actions To Take When Your Church Is In A Slump

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 26, 2025

How do you define a church slump? More importantly, what do you do when it happens?

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-20

Tags: advice, slump, preaching, vision, Preaching, action  (view more)  (view less)

A Pastor's Dilemma: What To Do When You Can't See The Vision For Your Church

By Karl Vaters on May 13, 2022

Not every pastor is called to cast a grand, singular vision for their congregation.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: vision, pastoral leadership, Great Commandment, Vision Casting

Pastoral Transition: Setting Your Church Up For Ministry Success After You're Gone

By Karl Vaters on Oct 20, 2023

Following a long-term, successful pastorate is one of the hardest callings in ministry. Every pastor should do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for the next pastor and the church to do great ministry after we leave.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: Pastoral Transition, Decentralize, Leadership, leadership, servant leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Overwhelming Majority Of Pastors Don’t Have One

By Lance Witt on Jul 26, 2023

The truth is those of us in ministry often don’t do the friendship thing very well. One survey among pastors found that 70 percent do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor. Henri Nouwen wrote, “Most Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships.” What an indictment.

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