In Preaching Articles: "Criticism"

7 Things Preachers Never Say – Pt.2

By Peter Mead on May 8, 2024

This series looks at seven things preachers never say. Last time we thought about the burden of expectation. How about this for another: The negative outcomes of both criticism and apathy.

Tags: church ministry, Negative Response, Backbiting, criticism, Criticism, Apathy, Gossip, slander, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Are Your Sermon Illustrations Really Indecent Exposure? 10 Critical Checkpoints

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 13, 2024

Sermon illustrations should be like letting sunlight into a window, not like putting a spotlight on a stage.

Scripture: Amos 5:4-15

Tags:

The Top Ten Sources Of Discouragement For Pastors

By Thom Rainer on May 20, 2024

“Is this valley I am going through normal for pastors?”

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, criticism, Criticism, Discouragement, church conflict, pastoral leadership, Financial Management, family dynamics  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching--4 Ways To Gain Attention And 3 Ways To Keep It!

By Dr. R. Larry Moyer on Oct 13, 2025

How do you rate on the two critical skills every preacher needs?

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Tags: skill, entice, preaching, Preaching, Attention, Enthusiasm  (view more)  (view less)

Five Steps To Respond To A Hurtful And Hateful Email

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 7, 2022

“You have no business being the pastor of our church. All you are interested in is getting your own way and changing all the good things we have going. People are saying you should be fired. I agree with them.”

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: church ministry, Difficult People, Facing Controversy, criticism, Leadership, Perseverance, leadership, conflict, Criticism, loving people, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Make A Difference? Eight Transformational Keystones

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 3, 2021

Our preaching should make a difference. But where and how? Here are some critical markers.

Tags: Transformation

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Whether we are a critic or a lover of the church — or for some of us, both — it's important to remain balanced.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept  (view more)  (view less)

Get It Right Before You Start: Safeguard Your Sermon Series

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 30, 2020

Avoid these ten critical mistakes that could prevent an effective evangelistic sermon series at your church.

Tags: Repentance, preaching, Truth, Preaching, repentance, eternal life, New Way  (view more)  (view less)

The Effective Pastor: Never Skimp On The Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 6, 2021

They call you Preacher because nothing you do is as important or as critical to the work of the church as your preaching.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoring, sermon, Sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Just Preach The Gospel” Isn’t Enough

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 2, 2019

Preaching the gospel is essential, but not sufficient on its own. Learn why living the gospel and recognizing our interpretive filters are critical for authentic ministry.

Tags: christian living, preaching the gospel, Christian Living, Preaching the Gospel, Ministry Practice, Sermon Advice, Humble Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Answering Claims That The Bible Contains Errors, And Why It Matters That It Doesn’t

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 22, 2022

I’m reminded of what the Huguenots said of the Bible and its critics: “Hammer away ye hostile hands; your hammers break, God’s Anvil stands.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: study bible, defending the gospel, guard the truth, Be prepared, spiritual knowledge, Apologetics, Biblical truth, inerrant  (view more)  (view less)

Gird Your Preaching: 10 Supports

By Peter Mead on Nov 14, 2020

Many beloved Bible stories are familiar, yet structurally critical passages often remain neglected. Faithful preaching must strengthen the church’s grasp of Scripture’s load-bearing texts.

Scripture: Joshua 4:1-9, Genesis 15:6, 2 Samuel 7, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 110:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Preaching, important, entire, prevent, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Reluctant Leadership Is Better Than Nothing

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 18, 2021

You ask the question and–this is critical–you remain standing. You are not just expressing a point of view, you are asking for answers. And you are doing so in such a sweet manner, no one can accuse you of trying to stir up anything.

Scripture: Romans 9:1-20

Tags: responsibility, Preaching, hurting people, servant leadership

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Pastors Make On Sundays (And What To Do About Them)

By Charles Stone on Jun 18, 2024

For pastors, Sunday can be the most draining day of the week. Intense people interaction, teaching or preaching, seeing our critics, trying to remember names, and attempting to put our own problems aside to listen to other peoples' problems add up to a stress-filled day. The very day we want to be at our best requires more from us than any other day. As a result, we can easily make one or more of the 5 biggest mistakes pastors make on Sundays. Evaluate this list to find out how many you make.

Tags: Preaching, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Sunday Morning, preaching  (view more)  (view less)