In Preaching Articles: "Congregational Renewal"

8 Ways To Hook Your Congregation Into Your Message

By SermonCentral .com on May 12, 2020

Your sermon text is central, but it doesn’t always need to come first. Strong hooks help listeners connect their lives to Scripture before exposition begins.

Scripture: Numbers 1:1-2:1, Ecclesiastes 5:7-6:7, Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 24:27, Ecclesiastes 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

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

Your Congregation Needs An Arc Of Hope, Not A String Of Pearls

By Nathan Aaseng on Nov 5, 2021

In our information-saturated age, your listeners have all the gems of wisdom they need, far more than they can process.

Tags: Parable, Hope, Preaching, string of pearls, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Doesn't Every Congregation Respond The Same Way?

By Peter Mead on Jun 27, 2025

Peter Mead reveals eight powerful insights into how to gauge a congregation's responsiveness.

Tags: church culture, preaching, guest, Unique, Preaching, Congregational  (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 Can The Pew Help The Pulpit?

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Mar 7, 2024

Good preaching is a partnership between pastor and congregation, pulpit and pew, the one who preaches and the one who listens.

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Tags: Pastor, preaching, Preaching, pastor, Congregation, Encourage, Partnership  (view more)  (view less)

Your Preaching Can Help Your Congregation Embrace (Biblical) Change

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 22, 2025

The Scriptures command us to do more than repeat what's already been done, and to look for God to do what He's never done before.

Scripture: Revelation 13:1-18

Tags: preaching, Trust, Preaching, embrace, biblical change  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Charles Arn on Mar 9, 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: worry, Wonder, Relevance, Wish, Worry, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Your Congregation Is Fact-Checking Your Preaching (And That's Good News)

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 30, 2023

Up to 38 percent of churchgoing Millennials will do an online search to verify what we say. And many of them are doing it while we’re preaching.

Tags: Search, millennials, Fact Checking, preaching, Internet, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

15 Awesome Quotes To Inspire Your Preaching

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 2, 2020

Spend ten minutes with history's great preachers and come away renewed and re-focused!

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Luke 18:9

Tags: Commitment, action

Mapping Fault Lines In America | Micah 3

By Jerry Shirley on Jan 29, 2026

In Micah 3, the prophet maps the spiritual fault lines of a nation under judgment. Find what that means for America today, and what God expects from His people.

Scripture: Micah 3:1-12

Tags: America, Hope, corruption, repentance, compromise, Complacency, Spiritual Renewal, Compromise, Corruption, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Mapping 'fault Lines' In America - Micah 3

By Jerry Shirley on Apr 18, 2023

Ultimately, the hope of America is not found in the White House or the State House, nor in the Courthouse. The hope of America is found in God’s House, and your house, and my house!

Scripture: Micah 3:1-12

Tags: America, Hope, Corruption, Repentance, corruption, repentance, compromise, Complacency, Spiritual Renewal, Compromise  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 7, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

When Church Members Leave: How Pastors Carry The Quiet Wound

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

Pastors feel deep pain when people leave their church. Understanding why it happens and how to respond wisely can turn hurt into growth, humility, and renewed strength.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, John 6:66-67, Proverbs 19:11, Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices, connect, church  (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)

Restore Passion To Your Preaching: Three Essential Steps

By Ken Davis on Aug 28, 2024

Many pastors quietly lose passion in the pulpit, preaching out of duty rather than delight. This article explores why that happens and how renewed preparation, dependence on the Spirit, and gospel-centered humility restore joy and power.

Scripture: John 12:20-30, Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:18, 2 Corinthians 4:5, John 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Holy Spirit