In Preaching Articles: "First Things First"

5 Things That Are Not A Badge Of Honor In Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Oct 31, 2023

There are some things I wore as badges of honor as a young leader I no longer wear as badges of honor today. What breaks my heart is I see many leaders falling into the same patterns I did.

Tags: Ministry, leadership, pastoral leadership, avoiding burnout, Leadership, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Preachers Never Say

By Peter Mead on May 7, 2024

Preachers speak, but we don’t talk about everything. If you are a preacher you may read this series and find some encouragement that you are not alone. If you know a preacher you may read this and find some understanding that you did not have before.

Tags: stress, Stress, Overwhelmed, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, expectations, church leadership, Ministry Pressure  (view more)  (view less)

One Thing Sets Elders Apart

By David Mathis on Oct 7, 2022

What does the Bible teach about the role and qualifications of elders?

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11, Hebrews 13:7, Titus 2:7-8, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, elder, Eldership, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, elders, Elder Qualification, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Put The Brakes On Summer Groups

By John Gilman Ii on Jun 21, 2024

It’s tempting to waive the white flag, to throw your hands up in surrender, to the summer slump. Many churches simply resign their efforts and re-appropriate them in the fall. First on the chopping block of suspended ministries are groups.

Tags: relationships, Volunteer, creative, Church Small Groups

"All Things Work Together For Good” — 3 Things You Never Noticed About Romans 8:28

By Lori Hatcher on Jun 14, 2024

"Here are three things about this popular verse you may never have noticed."

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Tags: Scripture, redemption, teach, Sound Teaching, all things work for good, Meditate on the Word, guard the truth, faith and obedience  (view more)  (view less)

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)

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)

7 Ways To Tell If It's A God Thing

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 3, 2023

Ron Edmondson: "God calls people to seemingly impossible tasks. It gives Him glory when I can’t do something, but He can."

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Tags: Faith, Ministry, Prayer, opportunity, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

The Worst Thing About My Own Sermons

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 22, 2024

Joe McKeever loves praise as much as the next guy. He also knows the preaching error he is most likely to make.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

9 Stupid Things I Did As A Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2020

Does your misery love company? Come sit next to Thom Rainer a while.

Tags: Preaching, worry, pastor, neglect, Criticism, Prayer Life, Pastor, prayer life, criticism, Worry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Four Things To Consider After The Police Shootings

By Lisa Robinson on Apr 2, 2024

Lisa is a member of Town North Presbyterian Church (PCA) and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. She is also a non-profit professional, anti-poverty advocate, and writer at theothoughts.comLisa is a member of Town North Presbyterian Church (PCA) and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. She is also a non-profit professional, anti-poverty advocate, and writer at theothoughts.com

Tags: experience, Christian Love, facts vs truth

6 Things Millennials Need From Pastors

By Joe Hoagland on Mar 26, 2022

What I always try to get across is there is no magic bullet to reach millennials.

Tags: Culture, authentic ministry, future generations, millennials, culture  (view more)  (view less)

22 Things Learned In 42 Years Of Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 25, 2022

For those of you in the vocational ministry, let me offer some reflections on 42 years of ministry.

Scripture: Isaiah 26:12

Tags: Wisdom, leadership, advice, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Significant Thing A Pastor Will Ever Do

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 9, 2024

The most valuable ministry thing you have done just may be the time you stopped to encourage a homeless man and bought him lunch.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Tags: Faithfulness, priorities, Servanthood, Christian Love, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Dumbest Thing I Ever Did As A Pastor

By Charles Stone on Oct 18, 2024

What's the dumbest mistake you've every made as a pastor?

Tags: mistakes, Pastoral Ministry