In Preaching Articles: "Growing A Church"

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 12, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 19, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, Leadership, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 29, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)

What If We Made Disciples And Left Church Growth To God?

By Karl Vaters on Sep 5, 2022

If we prioritized health, not as a means to growth, but as an end in itself, would we be in a greater position to represent Jesus to the world?

Tags: great commission, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Growth Strategy, Equip the Saints, Discipleship, Church Growth, Make Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

God’s Great Evangelistic Plan

By Peter Mead on Sep 26, 2022

"God’s plan to reach people with the gospel is not primarily evangelists or apologists, although both are vitally important. God’s plan to reach people with the gospel is the church."

Tags: church, great commission, Church Purpose of, Evangelism How To, gospel proclamation, Enjoy God, evangelism, Evangelism, Church, Testimony  (view more)  (view less)

Shepherd God’s Flock: Equipping God’s People

By Chris Pascarella on Nov 6, 2022

"According to Scripture, pastors are called to equip the flock to do the work of ministry!"

Scripture: Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: Equipping Disciples, Equipping The Body, church leadership, Called to serve, be the church, Church Body of Christ, pastoral leadership, equipped for service  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 5, 2025

When natural disasters, terrorist attacks, celebrity deaths, and political intrigue dominate the news, should pastors talk about them? And if so, how?

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, disaster, media, Trials and Difficulties, preaching, church, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Didn’t Wake Up This Morning Depressed By The Size Of Your Church

By Karl Vaters on Apr 17, 2022

Jesus knows what happened and didn’t happen in church last Sunday.

Tags: Depression, Marriage Faithfulness, Church Attendance, God's perspective, e, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Leading *chreasters* To Christ: 8 Ideas

By SermonCentral on Apr 2, 2020

Here's how you can reach the people who attend your church only on Christmas and Easter.

Tags: Church, Outreach, New, interest

4 Ingredients For Making Sermons Stick

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 24, 2020

One constant that remains essential in every church is preaching. Ed Stetzer talks about how to help your listeners apply what you preach.

Tags: Preaching, Church Practices, preaching

Preaching Tip: Encourage Your Audience

By Peter Mead on Mar 24, 2020

Everyone needs encouragement. And yet, strangely, it's often absent from a significant amount of preaching.

Scripture: Proverbs 29:25, Romans 15:4-5

Tags: Preaching, encouragement, Church Growth

What Does It Mean To Have The Heart Of A Pastor?

By Lance Witt on Apr 23, 2024

What qualities make a leader great? Hebrews describes the most important quality: heart. But what does it mean to have the heart of a pastor?

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1, Exodus 28:29-30, Jeremiah 3:15

Tags: Heart, Pastors, Church leaders

The Leadership Quality Nobody Talks About

By Lance Witt on Jan 3, 2022

Jesus did not come to cajole or manipulate people. He did not come to debate or lead by forceful personality. He never tried to gather a crowd or build an organization. He never marketed himself or developed his “brand”. Instead, he exemplified this quality that we all need.

Scripture: Matthew 12:19-20, Hebrews 5:2

Tags: Church leaders, Jesus' leadership

4 Ways Your Church Can Help People Simplify Christmas

By Karl Vaters on Dec 25, 2018

It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but Christmas is also the busiest.

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Eve, Holidays, Giving, teach, simplify, Christmas Joy, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

When The Usher Hates Visitors, It's Time For Transformation At Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 1, 2023

The wise pastor learns the difference between a tactical challenge and a transformational opportunity.

Tags: preaching, Visitor, Preaching, Transformation, USHER, tactical  (view more)  (view less)