In Preaching Articles: "Church Life"

The Power Of Ugly Preaching

By Jamie Stilson on Apr 25, 2023

Ugly preaching is not sloppy preaching but Spirit-empowered proclamation that flows from weakness, authenticity, and a life deeply shaped by Jesus.

Scripture: Acts 4:13, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Ezekiel 37:4-5, John 9:25

Tags: Grace, Preaching, gospel proclamation, grace, preaching, Gospel Proclamation  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Must Become Excellent Motivators

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 30, 2020

Faithful preaching does more than inform minds. It connects truth to life and calls people to Spirit-empowered action.

Scripture: James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 2:37-38

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth

Is Jesus An Impossible Mentor?

By Ray Hollenbach on Sep 29, 2020

Many admire Jesus but quietly believe His life is unattainable. Scripture teaches not imitation by willpower, but transformation by union with Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, Romans 8:29, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 1:5, Galatians 2:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: honor, Preaching, Submission, Accountability, Mentor, preaching, Honor  (view more)  (view less)

Getting Past Your Past

By Lance Witt on Jun 29, 2023

I know that on Sundays we walk into our churches, we smile, we shake hands, and we make nice. We pastor people and we preach from God’s Word. We are very respectable. But I know myself and I’ve worked with pastors way too long to believe that life is that neat and tidy.

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

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 26, 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)

6 Things I Heard That Convinced Me We Needed A New Church Website

By Joanna Gray on Apr 12, 2024

As church communicators we’re constantly looking for ways to make the ministry better not only for visitors, but for our church members as well. There are always little hints and quips here and there that our church family members say that give us a not-so-gentle nudge toward what we should be doing to better the ministry and further the mission.

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

By Brian Croft on Sep 14, 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 28, 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)

The 5 Most Dangerous Assumptions In Preaching

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Feb 15, 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)

Build Your Sermon Series On The Wonder, Worry And Wishes Of Your Congregation

By Charles Arn on Mar 8, 2024

The most important thing has to do with your sermon topics. They should address people's life issues and questions about the faith.

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Job 21:7-34

Tags: Preaching, worry, Wonder, Relevance, Wish, Worry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Avoid The Wreck: 7 Ways To Crash A Sermon

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 23, 2025

What's the difference between a sermon that changes someone's life and one that no one can remember even as they drive out of the parking lot?

Tags: Preaching, Resistance, Ruin, call to action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Change Lives By Preaching From Heaven's Viewpoint

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 3, 2025

Randy Alcorn: "We encourage believers to look at life differently—like Elisha’s servant whose eyes were opened."

Scripture: Hebrews 11:20-30

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Jesus Never Used A Classroom

By Bob Hamp on Jul 24, 2020

Jesus did not come primarily to educate or motivate but to liberate. His life and ministry reveal a discipleship model rooted in freedom, action, and restoration.

Scripture: Luke 4:18-19, John 8:32-36, Mark 1:38-39, Matthew 4:19, Romans 8:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Learning, Living, follower, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pit Stops Required- Part 1

By Lance Witt on Sep 11, 2023

Many pastors and ministry leaders soar through life at breakneck speed. They give every outward appearance of being on course, cruising on autopilot.

Scripture: Proverbs 14:18

Tags: Prudence, Time of Reflection, New Year's Reflection, avoiding burnout

Pastoring From A Place Of Gratitude

By Lance Witt on May 28, 2024

Does gratitude flavor your life? Are the words that flow from your lips and the thoughts that race through your mind marked by gratitude?

Scripture: Psalm 118:24, Colossians 2:7

Tags: leadership, Thankfulness, gratitude, Grumbling, Ingratitude, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Evaluate attitude, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)