In Preaching Articles: "Equipped For Service"

The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Feb 19, 2025

Weekly gospel proclamation equips the church, fuels evangelistic expectation, and honors Christ by making His cross the defining center of every sermon.

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Evangelism, Invitation, exegesis, evangelism, Exegesis  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach To Old(Er) People

By Rachel Wrenn on Oct 23, 2025

"Mildred" loves the Lord, shows up early for service--and falls asleep nearly every week. What to do?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Post-Sermon Bible Test

By Peter Mead on Jan 10, 2024

Good preaching doesn’t end when the sermon ends. It equips listeners to return to the text, understand it, desire it, and handle it for themselves in the days ahead.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, preaching

9 Points For Preaching On The Problem Of Evil

By Norman Geisler on Jan 21, 2025

Evil raises hard questions about God, suffering, and justice. This article equips preachers to answer honestly, show why evil presupposes God, and preach real hope.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Timothy 3:6, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Christian, Apologetics, Evil, Satan, Hope, suffering, tragedy, Difficulties, problem of evil, Sin General, Trials  (view more)  (view less)

4 Traits Of Speakers Who Connect With Their Audience

By Lane Sebring on Jul 10, 2023

Recently my church hosted a leadership conference to encourage and equip our lay leaders and staff. One of the speakers at the event, Nikki, impacted me with her engaging presentation.

Tags: Preaching, humor, Honesty, Communication Speech, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Two Questions To Break Despair

By Marion Clark on Dec 1, 2022

There is a great need for Christian counselors with the expertise to unravel the problems of life. The more a pastor is equipped in this area, the better they will be able to serve the members of their church who are facing difficulties and trials.

Tags: Hope, encouragement, Counselor, Despair, pastoral care, WISE COUNSEL, fixing eyes on Jesus, counseling  (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)

Preaching To The Unchurched: 5 Essentials

By Rick Warren on May 3, 2024

In terms of seeing radical life changes in individuals, nothing can take the place of Spirit-anointed preaching. The message is still the most important element of a worship service for the unchurched.

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Preaching, pastoral leadership, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Top 10 Healthy Ways To Handle The Church Critic

By Charles Stone on Aug 16, 2022

“Two things you can’t avoid in ministry are…people late to the service and … church critics.” In this short post, I suggest 10 ways to handle the church critic.

Tags: Criticism, patience, offense, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, loving enemies, Disarming, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

Why Faith Empowers Ordinary People For Extraordinary Works

By Miles Mcpherson on May 19, 2020

God equips every believer for good works, yet many never act because they doubt what He’s already given them. Help your church stop striving and start believing.

Scripture: John 1:50, John 15:16-17, John 14:12, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Empowerment

Does Our Culture Make Kids Feel Ashamed Of Their Faith?

By Focus On The Family on Sep 8, 2022

As Christians, we all know how important it is to equip kids with a sense of joy in reading God’s Word and the confidence to freely express their faith in Jesus. But that goal is becoming more difficult in today’s culture.

Tags: Apologetics The Bible, Training children, Children's Faith

Is Skipping Church Good For Your Soul?

By Charles Stone on Jun 15, 2023

Pastors must craft compelling, Spirit-led services if we are to entice the unchurched to attend and keep attending. What they experience at church must be worth the price of giving up their relaxing mornings at home.

Tags: Church, Preaching, skipping, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Baggage: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

By Lance Witt on Jan 2, 2022

Every single week people walk into your church and for the most part they seem to have it together. They make small talk, they dress appropriately, they participate congenially, they listen politely, and at the end of the service they file out quietly.

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7 Things I Love About Serving In The Established Church

By Ron Edmondson on Feb 9, 2021

Whether it’s church planting or encouraging church revitalization and growth of an existing church – if God calls you to it, and you are faithful to the call – you’ll feel His pleasure upon your obedience and service.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Serving

You Won't Accomplish Your Vision Without This

By Lance Witt on Mar 10, 2021

In my ministry Replenish, I am often asked “how do you know if a church is healthy”? What I know for sure is that the size of a church or it’s rate of growth or what happens on the platform in a weekend worship service is NOT a sure-fire indicator of health.

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