In Preaching Articles: "Church Family"

The 5 Most Dangerous Assumptions In Preaching

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Feb 16, 2024

False assumptions in preaching hinder communication and weaken impact. Clear thinking, clarity, and humility protect the preacher and strengthen the message.

Scripture: John 15:5

Tags: Church, Communication, Humility, Preaching, pastor, care, assumptions, Communication General, Pastor, communication, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do When Someone Close To You Is Hurting

By Josh Reich on Jun 20, 2022

Let’s face it, when someone hurts us, we can brush it off and often move on. We can be tough, ignore it, deal with it or get even (although that rarely helps), but something changes when it is our spouse, kids, a close friend or a family member who is hurt. We feel powerless in that moment.

Tags: pastoral leadership, bearing burdens, shepherding, counseling, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

Check The Mirror, Pastor – After Five Years, Your Church Looks Like You

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 27, 2021

Show me a spiritually healthy church and I’ll show you a spiritually healthy pastor. Show me a spiritually unhealthy church and I’ll show you a spiritually unhealthy pastor.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7

Tags: Humility, pastor, spiritual leadership, Pastoral Character, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Pastor Know When It's Time To Make Changes In His Church

By Brian Croft on Sep 15, 2023

Whatever you do, choose battles wisely as if you will be at that church ten years or more. That will give you a different perspective and will help you be patient.

Tags: Wisdom, leadership, Change, Sacrificial love, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Backyard Bbq Evangelism: A New, True Parable Of Outside-The-Church-Walls Ministry

By Karl Vaters on Sep 29, 2022

"Don't force people to do ministry your way. Help them with the ministry they're already passionate about."

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Spiritual Gifts, Body of Christ, Innovation, evangelism barriers, reaching the lost, evangelism planning, Conversational Evangelism, Unique Gifts, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Why Some People Aren’t Happy With Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Feb 28, 2025

Many pastors are blindsided when members quietly express frustration with their preaching. The reasons vary widely, ranging from communication issues to personality friction to the discomfort of genuine conviction. Preachers can respond well, shepherd wisely, and preach faithfully for the glory of Christ.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, James 3:1, Galatians 1:10, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Criticism, church leadership, criticism, Sermon Preparation, communication, preaching, sermon preparation, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

We Can Whine About The New Generation Or Worship With Them – But We Can’t Do Both

By Karl Vaters on Apr 26, 2024

We can either whine about how the new generation chooses to worship, or we can worship and minister with them. But we can’t do both.

Scripture: John 7:24

Tags: Perspective, Culture, church culture, Christian Priorities, future generations, church priorities, Generations, e, perspective, culture  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Preachers Never Say

By Peter Mead on May 7, 2024

Preachers speak, but we don’t talk about everything. If you are a preacher you may read this series and find some encouragement that you are not alone. If you know a preacher you may read this and find some understanding that you did not have before.

Tags: stress, Stress, Overwhelmed, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, expectations, church leadership, Ministry Pressure  (view more)  (view less)

Luther And His Significance

By Dr. Stephen Nichols on Oct 5, 2022

Luther’s statement at Torgau on October 5, 1544, must be our watchword: “We can spare everything except the Word.”

Tags: Scripture, Church, obedience, God's Grace, Reformation, martin luther, Reading God's Word, justified by faith, church  (view more)  (view less)

11 Ways To Make Christmas Your Best Outreach Of The Year

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 15, 2025

You may think it’s far too early to start thinking about Christmas, but think again. Whenever I’ve shared these ideas about Christmas, people say “Hey, I wish you’d talked about this earlier.” So we are.

Tags: Christmas, Outreach, Holidays, leadership, invite, pastoral leadership, Christmas Evangelism, church ministry, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Multisite Myths (And Realities)

By Jim Egli on Nov 2, 2020

Some preachers resist the idea of multiple sites. But what if technology increases your effectiveness?

Tags: Church, Growth, Missions, Multisite, Growth in Christ  (view more)  (view less)

A Dozen Ways To Kill A Great Idea

By SermonCentral .com on May 29, 2021

From preaching topics to outreach programs, how many great ideas have fallen into these potholes?

Tags: Idea, Plan, Kill, Improve, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

Why Didn't The Disciples Ask Jesus How To Measure Success?

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 27, 2024

Imagine this scenario. Jesus is meeting with the disciples. He’s been training them for three years. He’s died, risen again and walked with them in resurrection power for almost 40 days. As the day of his ascension draws near, he gathers them together to reiterate The Great Commission.

Scripture: Luke 14:23, Luke 15:7

Tags: Disciples, success, Church Growth, Measure success

Don't Put The Brakes On Summer Groups

By John Gilman Ii on Jun 21, 2024

It’s tempting to waive the white flag, to throw your hands up in surrender, to the summer slump. Many churches simply resign their efforts and re-appropriate them in the fall. First on the chopping block of suspended ministries are groups.

Tags: relationships, Volunteer, creative, Church Small Groups

What Small Groups Do Best...and What They Don't

By Glenn Packiam on Jul 7, 2023

Small groups are a perfect example of how pastors may learn from researchers. At many church conferences, pastors speak confidently of their latest, greatest small group model, sure that it is the new breakthrough in discipleship.

Tags: Outreach, Learning, relationships, Church Small Groups