In Preaching Articles: "Congregational Health"

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 11, 2025

Decades of research reveal five church-growth principles—disciple-making, relationships, felt-needs, transitions, and social networks—that help any church engage its community.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Leadership, Congregational Health  (view more)  (view less)

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 23, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: spiritual health, preaching, believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation  (view more)  (view less)

How Leadership Capacity Affects The Growth And Health Of A Church

By Josh Reich on Oct 5, 2023

Now, we all know that God is the one who grows a church, but often that church is healthy and growing because of the character, quality and capacity of the lead pastor and leaders.

Tags: leadership, Discipline, leadership capacity, coaching, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To Engage The Whole Congregation

By Bruce D. Johnson on Jun 5, 2025

All of us have a propensity to want to communicate in our own preferred style. But what if your style doesn't reach everyone?

Scripture: Luke 8:4-15

Tags: Pastor, preaching, Preaching, pastor, Congregation, Engage, Engagement  (view more)  (view less)

Preparing Hearts For Lent: Sermon Series & Resources To Deepen Your Congregation’s Journey

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 27, 2025

Sermon Series & Resources to Deepen Your Congregation’s Journey

Tags: Easter graphics for churches, Easter sermon preparation, Easter service themes, Holy Week church resources, Good Friday sermon resources, Holy week, lent, Holy Week, sermon series, Easter sermon series, Easter church resources, Easter preaching ideas, Easter, Good Friday, Resurrection  (view more)  (view less)

Rethinking Our Witness To The Neighborhood

By David Fitch on Oct 31, 2020

Communities live life in and among the neighborhoods: the stuff of everyday life has numerous opportunities to proclaim the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Congregation

10 Ways To Connect With Older Congregations

By Lane Sebring on Apr 22, 2023

Seasoned saints have heard a lot of preaching: can you still reach them in fresh ways?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Your Congregation Is Your Second Text

By Mike Glenn on Oct 27, 2020

Pastor Mike Glenn suggests every sermon requires us to exegete our audience as well as the Biblical text. Here's why.

Tags: Preaching, Congregation, role, second text

The Top Secret Agendas Carried By Your Congregation

By Chris Surber on Sep 11, 2021

Every church member carries an agenda in the secret briefcase of their heart. What's their agenda?

Tags: Agenda, Affirm, Preaching, challenge, Congregation  (view more)  (view less)

What Your Congregation Wants To Hear At Christmastime

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 15, 2023

Joe McKeever helps reframe our calling: "The people who make up your congregation do not require anything new from you regarding the Christmas story this season or any season. "

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-16

Tags: Preaching, preaching

5 Ways To Grow Your Church's Congregation

By Ricardo Hernandez on Apr 17, 2023

Dwindling church attendance is a concern faced by almost every established or newly-created church and should be strategically addressed. Here are five simple approaches that will make your church more inviting for your existing members and help attract new ones.

Tags: connect, young people, church, members, Connect, Young people, social media, community, church members, Community, Church, Church Members  (view more)  (view less)

Declare The *unprecedented God*

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 3, 2020

If your congregation is stuck in the "we've never done it that way before" trap, this is a message you should share.

Tags: Church, Change, Congregation, unprecedented, church  (view more)  (view less)

You're Preaching, But Do You Know Who's Listening?

By Mike Miller on Jan 18, 2023

Good preachers must develop the extra skill of "congregational exegesis."

Tags: preaching, Preaching, Listen, Congregation, audience  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 12, 2020

Whether you’re looking back at Plato or Jesus, virtually every culture has had great communicators who realized the power of attention-grabbing hooks.

Tags: flowers, preaching, anxiety, Bird, Preaching, Anxiety, Field  (view more)  (view less)

8 Powerful Ways To Hook The Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 8, 2020

Effective speakers realize the power of attention-grabbing hooks. What's in your toolbox?

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1-5

Tags: hook, effective speakers, preaching, Preaching, Attention  (view more)  (view less)