In Preaching Articles: "Congregational Health"

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)

Ten Principles For Pastors Leading Plateaued Churches

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2022

Many churches plateau, but pastors don’t have to. These ten principles guide leaders toward renewal through prayer, humility, small improvements, and practical, Spirit-led steps.

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Fail, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, shepherding, Pastor, Leadership, Shepherding, church, Pastoral Leadership, Plateaue, Ministry Health  (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)

Five Strategic Advantages Of Small Churches

By Brandon O'brien on Feb 14, 2024

Small churches hold strategic strengths: authenticity, focus, people-powered ministry, intergenerational relationships, and margin-focused mission.

Tags: Community, Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Leadership, church, Ministry Church, Authentic, Intergenerational Ministry, Community Outreach, Health, authentic, Small Church, community outreach, community, Pastor  (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

You Can’t Force Teamwork

By Lance Witt on Jul 5, 2024

"When your car is aligned, it runs more efficiently, creates less wear and tear, and operates more smoothly. The same is true in creating alignment and teamwork within our ministries. It takes intentionality; you never drift into alignment. People with skill know how to get down inside the organization and align its systems and structures to increase effectiveness, minimize wasted effort, and achieve greater health."

Tags: Communication, Effective Teams, Leadership, communication, leadership, strategy, Teamwork, Alignment, pastoral leadership, servant leadership  (view more)  (view less)

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)

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)

Best Fourth Of July Sermons And Resources

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 1, 2019

At SermonCentral, we’ve put together a rich collection of our best Fourth of July sermons, video resources, and graphics to help you honor this patriotic holiday while pointing your congregation to the ultimate freedom found in Jesus.

Tags:

Crafting A Culture Of Honor

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2020

In the middle of this election year, the amount of vicious attack and trash talking has reached a new high (or low). I think it is time that we as pastors take the lead in helping our congregations and communities know how to treat one another.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:35, Romans 12:10

Tags: honor

Without Accountability, Confession And Friendship, ‘we’re Going To End Up Out Of Ministry’

By Michael Duduit on Jan 28, 2022

My friend Clayton King, who has never served as a senior pastor (and had not expected to), suddenly found himself leading one of the nation’s largest congregations as interim pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina.

Scripture: James 5:16

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Isolation, Leadership General, pastoral leadership