In Preaching Articles: "Growth"

7 Things That Get Harder As Your Church Grows

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 6, 2023

Ever think that growth will solve all your problems?

Tags: leadership, Church Growth, Healthy Church, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church problems, church priorities, Effective Leadership, Focus on Numbers, Elias livingstone, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why The Church In Corinth Might Be Our Best Model Today

By Chuck Warnock on Jul 27, 2020

The Corinthian church was messy, immature, and flawed, yet deeply alive. Their enthusiasm, participation, and real-world faith may offer a better model than polished programs.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-6, 1 Corinthians 1:2-7, 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Christian growth, preaching, Christian Growth

Do You Know Your Pulpit Blind Spots?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 12, 2023

Every preacher gravitates toward familiar themes. Addressing pulpit blind spots requires intentional planning, biblical breadth, and pastoral self-awareness.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:13, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:28

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth

Why Pastors Must Become Excellent Motivators

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 30, 2020

Faithful preaching does more than inform minds. It connects truth to life and calls people to Spirit-empowered action.

Scripture: James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 12:1-2, Acts 2:37-38

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth

Waiting To Preach? How To Steward The Season Well

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 4, 2020

Feeling overlooked in ministry can breed doubt and envy. Here are five biblical ways to steward a season of limited preaching opportunities faithfully.

Scripture: Esther 1:1-4, 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 11:29, James 3:16, Revelation 12:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth

The Top 8 Reasons Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 25, 2023

Why is it that most churches never break the 200 attendance mark?

Tags: Church Growth, Barriers, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Barriers to Growth, Growth Strategy  (view more)  (view less)

Learn To Love The Wrestling

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 28, 2020

Preaching is a gift, but so is preparation. The hard wrestling with God’s Word feeds the preacher before it feeds the church.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:16, Jeremiah 23:29, Psalm 1:2-3, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual growth, Life Unfair, preaching, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

How To Speak To A Hardened Heart With Truth And Grace

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 10, 2021

Preaching to a hardened heart is one of the hardest tasks in ministry. Scripture shows that prayer, humility, and faithful exposition are the most powerful tools God uses to soften hearts.

Scripture: John 16:8, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Hebrews 4:12, John 17:20, 1 Corinthians 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, difficult, audience, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Church Stuck Or Just Small?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 10, 2025

If your church is healthy, quit stressing about getting bigger. God may not be calling you to bigness.

Scripture: Acts 1:1-15

Tags: Growth, Church Growth, Healthy Church, effective, Small Church  (view more)  (view less)

What Are You Doing To Stay Small And Strategic?

By Peter Mead on Jul 31, 2024

Bigger isn’t always better. Lasting impact often comes through small, intentional investments in people rather than ever-expanding programs or crowds.

Tags: Discipleship, Church Growth

Was Jesus Numerically Challenged?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 28, 2020

Is numerical growth proof of God’s grace? This reflection questions the assumption that size equals faithfulness and contrasts modern metrics with Jesus’ slow, seed-shaped vision of the church.

Scripture: Acts 2:41, Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, 1 Peter 2:5, Matthew 13:31-33  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Faithfulness, number

11 Types Of Healthy Churches That Often Stay Small

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 4, 2025

Many types of churches fulfill the Great Commission without seeing their own numerical growth.

Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:1-31

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Eugene Peterson On The Dignity Of Local Pastoring

By Eugene Peterson on Jul 13, 2021

"I grew up in a culture that was very entertainment-centered. Pastors were really good storytellers, and they were attractive people, glamorous." –Eugene Peterson

Scripture: John 3:16, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 2 Corinthians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Growth, Preaching, Growth in Christ, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why Smart Christians Believe Dumb Spiritual Cliches

By Larry Osborne on Jun 11, 2021

Many believers unknowingly build their faith on popular Christian sayings rather than the full teaching of Scripture. Pastors must help people test these ideas against the Bible.

Scripture: John 14:6, Colossians 1:28-29, Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 7:13-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, advice, cliche, platitude, Christian growth, preaching, Christian Growth  (view more)  (view less)

How To Tell If A New Volunteer Is Truly A Leader (Or Simply A Doer)

By Carey Nieuwhof on May 9, 2024

"I recently surveyed 1400 small and mid-sized church pastors to find out what they struggle with most as their church grows. They overwhelmingly identified developing leaders as their top challenge."

Tags: leadership, Church Growth, Volunteer, church ministry, obstacles to growth, Barriers to Growth, Growing a Church, Leaders vs Doers, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)