In Preaching Articles: "How To Stay"

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, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Why Boring Preaching Is Dangerous

By Peter Mead on May 26, 2025

Preaching should never make the truth of God dull. When sermons become boring, the problem is rarely the Bible but how the message is presented.

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:29, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 4:2, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 20:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, boring, excess, Pastoral Ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Shrinking Population Of Preachers And What You Can Do About It

By Ben Mandrell on Sep 16, 2021

How one pastor did something more than wring his hands over the situation, and what he did about it.

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, population, shrinking, front lines  (view more)  (view less)

Great Preacher = Great Leader? Not So Fast

By Adrian Pei on Mar 16, 2023

When a leader admits his or her weaknesses in front of an audience, I think to myself, "That's great ... how will you follow that up?"

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7-10, Matthew 21:18-22

Tags: Preaching, Maturity, skill, great leader, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

9 Ways Clarity Benefits Leaders

By Charles Stone on May 25, 2023

How would you rank your clarity in your ministry? Here are nine benefits of being clear as you lead your church.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Clarity, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things You Should Never Say To A Small Church Pastor

By Karl Vaters on Oct 24, 2023

Don’t just get the content right. Consider how it might feel to the hurting pastors who need your help the most.

Tags: leadership, advice, Small Church, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Weaving Gospel Fluency Into Every Sunday Message

By Jeff Vanderstelt on Nov 21, 2022

If we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

Scripture: Luke 24:44-45

Tags: Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel, preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Hope And Perspective When We’re Dealing With Doubt

By Randy Alcorn on Dec 3, 2022

"In times of doubt, difficulty, and trials, our fundamental beliefs about God and our faith are revealed. So how can Christians find faith in the midst of doubt? How can they trust God’s plan when their lives seem out of His control, and prayers seem to go unanswered or, sometimes it feels, even unheard?"

Scripture: Romans 10:17, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, Job 23:10, Isaiah 43:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: doubt, Perseverance, suffering, tragedy, Promises of God, Genuine Faith, Test of Faith, sovereignty of God  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 16, 2022

Pastoral calling can fade under pressure, success, or discouragement. This reflection uncovers why ministers lose sight of their call and how to remember it again.

Tags: Church, Call, pastor, Pastors, Small Church, Church General, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Love To Preach

By Joseph M. Stowell on Nov 25, 2021

Preaching is a strange mix of joy, agony, insecurity, and calling; this article explores why pastors keep returning to the pulpit and how God uses their weakness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Palm Sunday, Homiletics, Disciplines General, Pastor, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Healthy churches face problems with wisdom, unity, and Christlike leadership. These ten traits show how congregations grow stronger even through crises.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept, Christian community, church leadership, Biblical wisdom, Church Leadership, Biblical Wisdom, Congregational Health, Christian Community  (view more)  (view less)

Finish Your Sermon Strong: 10 Mistakes To Avoid

By Peter Mead on Jul 19, 2024

Weak endings undo strong sermons. Learn the most common conclusion mistakes and how to land your message with clarity, confidence, and spiritual impact.

Scripture: John 19:28

Tags: Preaching, hermeneutics, Leadership General, preaching, Hermeneutics, Sermon Craft  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Know Someone Is Leaving Your Church

By Brian Dodd on May 11, 2020

Churches lose people, but wise leaders spot warning signs early. This guide outlines practical indicators that someone is drifting and how to reconnect proactively.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Galatians 6:1-2, Acts 20:28

Tags: shepherding, Shepherding

10 Global Churches Larger Than America's Largest

By James O. Davis on Jun 5, 2020

Global Christianity is expanding rapidly. These global pastors and churches reveal how God is fulfilling the Great Commission through unprecedented growth and worldwide partnerships.

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20, Psalm 67:3-4, Revelation 7:9, Isaiah 49:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Leader, Missions, Church Growth, evangelism, church, leader  (view more)  (view less)