In Preaching Articles: "High Expectations"

When People Compare Pastors

By Charles Stone on Mar 27, 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 21, 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: High expectations, Laity, Church Health, attacking the pastor

Preacher: Tell Your People What They Are!

By Lane Sebring on May 15, 2025

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

Scripture: Romans 8:28-31

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Has Hollywood Caused Us To Set The Preaching Bar Too High?

By Nathan Aaseng on Oct 18, 2019

Pastors are not called to win Academy Awards in screen-writing. We are called to help build the kingdom, brick by brick.

Tags: Preaching, hollywood, set the bar, expectations

Building A High-Performing Team

By Lance Witt on Apr 22, 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 17, 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

Ed Stetzer: How To Fight Ministry Pornography

By Ed Stetzer on Jul 1, 2023

Are you easily distracted by high-profile ministries? You might be guilty of "ministry pornography." In this video Ed Stetzer discusses the dangers of ministry comparison with Jon Acuff.

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-17

Tags: Pornography, Preaching, Dreams, unrealistic, Expectation, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Expect More From Young Men

By Joe Hamilton on Aug 19, 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 23, 2022

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

Tags: Pastor, wife, pastor, Expectation

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

By Jonathan Herron on Dec 7, 2022

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

Scripture: John 15:12

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

3 Unspoken Promises People Expect Leaders To Keep

By Hal Seed on Mar 7, 2020

Christian leaders carry unspoken promises to those who follow them. These expectations shape trust, care, and growth in every church and ministry setting.

Scripture: Romans 12:8

Tags: Leadership General, Leadership, Leadership Integrity, Shepherding Principles, leadership, Promise, Integrity, Church Growth, diligence, Christian Values  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Ron Edmondson on Dec 30, 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)

Lay Aside The Weight Of Passivity

By SermonCentral .com on May 20, 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 18, 2020

If you're asked to guest-speak, you need these 10 real-life rules.

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