In Preaching Articles: "High Expectations"

When People Compare Pastors

By Charles Stone on Mar 26, 2021

Many pastors secretly struggle with measuring up to very successful pastors and churches. It’s tough, but it comes with ministry. People compare pastors. In this post I suggest a few ways to deal with this “measure up mentality.” I begin with one pastor’s experience.

Scripture: Psalm 62:5

Tags: Discouragement, Approval, Comparison, High expectations

Eight Indicators That Pastors Are Expected To Do Most Of The Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 20, 2021

Contrary to most of the indicators today, the Bible says the laity (saints) are to do the work of ministry. Most of the ministry should not be in the hands of pastors, but in the hands of the church members. Unfortunately, we often reverse the biblical truth. We expect ministry to be done by the pastors and staff. Here are eight indicators of that reality.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: Laity, Church Health, attacking the pastor, High expectations

Preacher: Tell Your People What They Are!

By Lane Sebring on May 14, 2025

Great leaders set high expectations and truly believe their church is capable of meeting them.

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Building A High-Performing Team

By Lance Witt on Apr 21, 2022

The bullseye on the target of a great team is both health and high-performance.

Tags: leadership, Teamwork, team building, Performance, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The High Cost Of Free Porn

By Owen Strachan on Sep 16, 2022

Beyond severe psychological and social consequences, pornography hinders Jesus’s mission in the world.

Scripture: John 6:38, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:37, Luke 15:1-7, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Colossians 3:9-10, Romans 8:13, Revelation 12:10-12, Colossians 3:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pornography, god's mission, Jesus' mission, Kingdom's Mission

Expect More From Young Men

By Joe Hamilton on Aug 18, 2022

We are eager to see young men exert energy because we all know what happens when you put testosterone together with capacity to work for the kingdom. And we also know what happens when you mix the same testosterone and capacity with idleness. The ancient saying proves true: “the devil finds work for idle hands.”

Tags: Youth, Singleness, Idleness, young adults, adolescence, immaturity, Young Men, Expectation, e  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Unfair Expectations Of Pastors’ Wives

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 22, 2022

Here are the top ten expectations imposed upon these ladies...

Tags: wife, pastor, Expectation, Pastor

Jesus Prayed For Us: The Power Of The High Priestly Prayer

By David J. Lose on Sep 15, 2022

In John 17 Jesus prays for His disciples and for all future believers. This prayer reminds the church that we are loved, supported, and called to unity.

Scripture: John 17:6-26, John 14:26, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, Philippians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Prayer, Partner, high priestly prayer, preaching, High Priestly Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

The Way A Leader Is Expected To Respond – Determines The Response They Receive

By Ron Edmondson on Dec 29, 2021

The way others expect you to respond often determines the way they respond to you.

Tags: Communication, Perception, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Always Choose The High Road (There’s Less Traffic)

By Jonathan Herron on Dec 6, 2022

Jesus said his disciples would be known by their radical love for one-another, (John 15:12).

Scripture: John 15:12

Tags: honor, SALT AND LIGHT, Encourage Others, pastoral leadership, speak truth in love, Slow to speak, church leadership, Guard your tongue  (view more)  (view less)

Lay Aside The Weight Of Passivity

By SermonCentral .com on May 19, 2022

Our mind-sets make a huge difference in how we perceive our circumstances.

Scripture: Philippians 3:19, Romans 8:5, 2 Timothy 2:3-7, 1 Peter 1:13, Colossians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 9:25, Hebrews 12:1, Hebrews 12:12-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: endurance, action, expectations, passivity

How To Be An Awesome Guest Preacher

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 17, 2020

Guest preaching is not self-promotion but stewardship. Faithfulness, humility, and respect determine whether you are welcomed again.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-3, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6

Tags: guest, Preaching, Courtesy, participate, Expectation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors, We Don’t Expect A Ted Talk—we Need A God-And-You Talk

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 27, 2021

When we come to your church, we don't expect a $7,500 sermon. Given current offering stats, most people aren't even expecting a $75 one.

Scripture: John 3:1-25, Matthew 6:25-34

Tags: Preaching, Heartfelt, Expectation, TED talk, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Powerful Words We Rarely Hear From Preachers

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 26, 2021

As leaders we need to recognize the moment when there are no words to be said, no comfort to be offered, no solutions to be given.

Scripture: John 1:1-15

Tags: Preaching, Knowledge, expert, Expectation, leaders, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Small Does Not Equal Broken: 5 Steps To Greatness In A Small Church

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 18, 2021

Where are all the great small churches? Would you know one if you saw one? They exist. There’s no doubt about that. There are great small churches in every country, serving every ethnic group and in virtually every language. They worship in every imaginable liturgical style and they meet in every type of building – including no building at all.

Tags: Perseverance, Determination, Church size, Expectation, big versus small  (view more)  (view less)