In Preaching Articles: "Congregation"

4 Points Of Principle Preaching

By Chris Surber on Nov 12, 2025

"Can I call her up to the front on Sunday morning, have her sit in front of the congregation and use her sin as an example?”

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-2

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Preaching To Inspire True Generosity

By Matt O’reilly on Nov 19, 2021

What if preachers and their congregations actually looked forward to the stewardship series instead of dreading it? Matt O'Reilly believes it can be done.

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Getting An Approachability Checkup

By Ken Sande on Mar 6, 2025

An expert in conflict management, Ken Sande brings his expertise to pastors and leaders to help them relate better with their congregation, co-workers, and families.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 18:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Mark 10:42-45  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Peace, leadership, pastor, conflict, relationships, counsel, Communication General, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

Restore Passion To Your Preaching: Three Essential Steps

By Ken Davis on Aug 28, 2024

You may think it can be hidden, but when you lose your passion for the pulpit your congregation can hear the difference. Recapture the fire!

Scripture: John 12:20-30

Tags: Preaching, preaching

6 Messy Truths About Your Church—and 3 Helpful Realities

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 6, 2025

"I was taught never to wrestle with difficult truths in front of the congregation. Give them simple three-point, alliterated answers to life’s problems."

Tags: preaching, bible, Bible, Preaching, messy truth, efficient, confusing  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Stressful Sermon

By David J. Lose on Jun 29, 2021

What might our personal and congregational lives look like if we took Jesus' words more seriously at home, work, school and in our communities?

Scripture: Luke 18:31-34, Proverbs 17:1-5

Tags: stress, Preaching, Stress

Slow Down! And Connect Your Preaching To Lectio Divina

By C. Christopher Smith on Nov 1, 2019

If we re-cast preaching as a kind of "slow reading," we might lead our congregations into deeper engagement with the biblical text--and with one another.

Scripture: Luke 23:45-46, Psalm 1:1-6

Tags: lectio divina, slow reading, Preaching, exegesis

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

When A Private Apology Is Not Enough

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 15, 2022

"Nothing is so lovely and so welcome and so healing in a church as for a member to go before the congregation and admit to his/her destructive behavior and ask for forgiveness."

Tags: Humility, Reconciliation, repentance, restitution, Confession of Sin, church ministry, Apology, Making things right, Admitting Guilt, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

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)

Does Your Sermon Outline Serve You Or Do You Serve It?

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 30, 2019

Think you don’t need a sermon outline? Discover why using one can sharpen your message, increase clarity, and enhance your connection with the congregation.

Tags: Preaching, preaching tips, sermon prep, Sermon outline, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching Tips, Sermon Outline, Preaching Structure  (view more)  (view less)

If The World Ends Tomorrow, Here's What You Should Preach

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 18, 2020

I was pulled aside after a Sunday morning service not long ago by someone who wanted to know when I would warn the congregation about the impending crash of the world economy.

Tags: Preaching

Start With A Bang! Crafting A Memorable Sermon Opener

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 27, 2025

If you lose your congregation at the beginning, you will have to work twice as hard to get them back by the end. Why not give your message the best possible chance to connect with people at the outset?

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Introduction, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

12 Reasons Why Church Leaders Don’t Delegate

By Chuck Lawless on Feb 3, 2021

It's an all-too-familiar scene: a pastor who burns out while doing things that a member of his congregation could have helped with. Here are twelve of the worst reasons not to delegate.

Tags: Preaching, idolatry, energy, Bad leadership, delegated authority  (view more)  (view less)

Do Not Forsake True Solitude, Pastor

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 11, 2022

I am talking about purposely removing yourself from the busyness to focus on prayer for your congregation, reflection on your spiritual life and those around you, and meditation on the huge weight that is the pastoral ministry.

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Tags: prayer life, Prayer Life, Solitude, Silence, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)