In Preaching Articles: "Decison Making"

10 Mistakes Churches Make At Christmastime

By Jonathan Howe on Dec 20, 2024

Unfortunately stress can lead churches to plan poorly and make unnecessary mistakes. Here are ten such mistakes to avoid in your church this Christmas.

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Holidays, prepare, focus on GOD, Christmas Gospel, church priorities, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why Information Alone Cannot Make Disciples

By Outreach Inc. on Apr 9, 2025

The modern church excels at teaching information but often fails at formation. Real discipleship requires embodied obedience, risk, and lived imitation, not lectures alone.

Scripture: Luke 6:40, James 1:22, John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, Following Jesus

How To Make Sermon Preparation A Community Effort

By Todd Hiestand on Nov 19, 2020

Preaching is often treated as a solitary task, but collaborative sermon preparation can sharpen content, improve delivery, and strengthen church community.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11, Ephesians 4:11-12, Hebrews 10:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Community, family, Preaching, Group, encouragement, community, preaching, Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

The Preacher's Task: Saving Souls Or Making Disciples?

By Nathan Aaseng on Jul 19, 2021

Pastors are often praised for “saving souls,” but Scripture teaches that salvation belongs to Christ alone. The preacher’s role is to proclaim the gospel and help make disciples.

Scripture: John 6:26-51, Acts 14:14-15, Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 4:18, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Soul, Preaching, Disciples, saved, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching To Students? 5 Ways To Make It Work

By Adam Ramsey on Jan 18, 2026

Learn five proven preaching strategies to effectively engage and equip young people with the gospel in a post-Christian culture.

Scripture: Judges 6:12-18, Judges 6:8-11

Tags: Preaching, Sincere, student, repetitive, interactive, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Make Your Announcements Better

By Chuck Lawless on Jan 21, 2026

Tired of clunky church announcements? Learn 10 effective strategies to communicate clearly and keep the focus on worship and the Word.

Tags: pastoral leadership, church announcements, church communication, Church Announcements, Worship Planning, Church Communication, Sunday Service Tips, Pastoral Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

8 Lame Excuses Church Leaders Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 27, 2023

One of the best practices you can develop as a leader is to identify your excuses and eliminate them. Start thinking and talking a different game.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, church culture, Explanation, Rules, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Top 3 Mistakes Churches Make With New Believers

By Bob Franquiz on May 8, 2020

Discover the three mistakes churches make that keep new believers from "sticking."

Tags: Outreach, Discipleship, Assimilation, New believer, Church General  (view more)  (view less)

Less Is More: Improve Tomorrow's Sermon By Making It Shorter

By Lane Sebring on Nov 6, 2019

Few public speakers can keep an audience's attention for an hour. Fewer should even try.

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-15, Psalm 107:1-15, Revelation 12:1-10

Tags: Preaching, better, short sermon, audience attention, sermon length  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Make Your Church More Accessible

By Rod Arnold on Mar 13, 2025

Learn eight practical, authentic ways to connect your church with your community, clarify your identity, and turn everyday members into bold inviters.

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Colossians 4:5-6, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 1:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Forgiveness, Church, Compassion, Preaching, preaching, church, love  (view more)  (view less)

Narrative Preaching: Do You Make These 10 Mistakes?

By Peter Mead on Jul 2, 2020

Biblical narratives lose their power when preachers flatten them into lessons or principles. Avoid common pitfalls and learn how to preach stories as God intended.

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Judges 6:11-24, Luke 10:25-37, John 2:1-11

Tags: Preaching Ministry

Make Your Sermons More Memorable From Neuroscience

By Charles Stone on Jul 28, 2020

Lasting spiritual change requires more than good content. Insights from neuroscience can help preachers embed truth into long-term memory for real life transformation.

Scripture: Romans 12:2, Luke 11:28, James 1:22-25, Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Colossians 3:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Christian Education, spiritual formation, Leadership, neuroscience, preaching, Spiritual Formation, Neuroscience  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Make Your Sermons More Memorable

By Charles Arn on Nov 23, 2020

Research has found that we remember less than 10 percent of the unsupported spoken word.

Scripture: Jonah 1:1-11, Matthew 13:34, Mark 4:33, Luke 24:27, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, Retention, Improve, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Leading Like Jesus Means Making Big Challenges

By James Scott on Jun 22, 2021

Jesus never shied away from calling people to make big changes--do you?

Tags: Jesus, obedience, challenge, Follow

John Piper: Guidelines For Making Tough Leadership Decisions

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 24, 2025

The truth is not enough. We need wisdom, prayer and excellence.

Tags: Decision, leadership, meditate, john piper, propose, e, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)