In Preaching Articles: "High Expectations"

How To Tell Who You Can Truly Trust In Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jan 10, 2023

Trusting people in leadership can be a disheartening and confusing proposition. And the stakes are high.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What To Do About Grace: 4 Down-To-Earth Suggestions

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Jan 2, 2020

"She said to me, 'You expected a lot from us, and I never felt I could meet those expectations.' These comments have haunted me."

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Preaching, grace, preaching, Grace

Pastors: Why Some Love Them And Some Don’t

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 5, 2022

See how they treated Jesus? Expect the same for yourself, pastor.

Scripture: Matthew 10:40, Romans 5:5, Mark 3:5, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 10:24-25, Acts 5:41  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Wisdom, pastor, pastor appreciation, attacking the pastor, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Light-Hearted Pastor Is An Oxymoron

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 27, 2022

To expect to carry the message without feeling the weight is asking a little much.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:28

Tags: pressure, Human Weakness, bearing burdens, Pastoral Ministry

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)

Complaining Never Wins The Culture

By Trevin Wax on May 4, 2022

What if the biggest danger ahead for Christians today is something we don’t expect, but should?

Scripture: Philippians 2:6-16, 1 John 5:19, Psalm 78:17-20, Philippians 2:25, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 11:33-34  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: gratitude, Culture, Complaining, Grumbling, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Why Strategic Guest Speakers Can Spark Evangelism And Church Growth

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 9, 2023

High-profile guests can motivate invitations, attract visitors, reengage lapsed members, and strengthen systems when used wisely and sparingly.

Scripture: John 4:29, Luke 14:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 13:44, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Christianity, Church Growth, Guest speaker, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Research Is In--This Is The #1 Reason Students Leave The Church

By Dr. Kara Powell on Oct 30, 2025

Research shows that 40-50% of high school graduates leave their faith in college. Youth expert Kara Powell offers ideas on reversing the trend.

Tags:

Practical Ideas For Servant Evangelism

By Steve Sjogren on Apr 8, 2023

Servant evangelism uses simple acts of kindness to nudge people toward God. These practical, low-cost ideas help churches connect with their communities with high grace.

Scripture: John 4:5-26, John 15:9-17

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, Servant, Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Why You Should Share The Pulpit

By Kevin Larson on Aug 16, 2024

Sharing the pulpit strengthens the church, protects the pastor, and equips future leaders. Fear and pride keep pastors from doing it, but the cost is too high to ignore.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12, 1 Timothy 5:17, 2 Timothy 2:2, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Equip, training, Pastoral Ministry, preaching, Pulpit  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Without A Net: Delivering Sermons Without Notes

By Bruce Salmon on Mar 3, 2025

A pastor describes how a forgotten outline pushed him onto the “high wire” of preaching without notes and how that risk opened new freedom, focus, and trust in God.

Tags: Church, Preaching, worry, manuscript, Homiletics, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Delivery, Worry, preaching, church, expository preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why My Sermon Notes Don't Rhyme, And What I Do Instead

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 9, 2023

For generations, rhymes and alliterations were expected from public speakers. It made them seem credible, authoritative and prepared. Not any more.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-5

Tags: sermon notes, rhyme, insincere, preaching, Preaching, phony  (view more)  (view less)

Sometimes I Feel Like Giving Up, But I Know Better

By Brandon Cox on Apr 27, 2024

Sometimes, I feel that I’m spinning my wheels and not getting anywhere, and that I’m failing to meet the expectations of others.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:12

Tags: Holy Spirit, Discouragement, confidence in God, giving up

When Is A Sermon Good Enough?

By Stephen Gregory on Jul 16, 2024

A pastor wrestles with preparation, expectations, and perfectionism, discovering how God uses imperfect sermons when the preacher is faithful, honest, and attentive to the flock.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, spiritual growth, Communication General, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

The Gospel In Every Sermon

By Greg Stier on Feb 20, 2025

Weekly gospel proclamation equips the church, fuels evangelistic expectation, and honors Christ by making His cross the defining center of every sermon.

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Tags: Evangelism, Invitation, exegesis, evangelism, Exegesis  (view more)  (view less)