In Preaching Articles: "Jesus Church"

The Future Of The Church Depends On Developing Deep People

By Ray Hollenbach on May 7, 2020

Gordon MacDonald argues that preaching and programs cannot secure a church’s future. Only intentional disciple-making and leadership development can.

Scripture: Mark 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:5, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Renewal, Leadership, leadership, training

The First Step In Bringing Change To Your Church

By John Holm on Jan 23, 2023

Healthy leadership protects what must never change while courageously adjusting what must. Churches fail when they confuse strategy with identity.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1, Matthew 28:19-20, Proverbs 29:18, Ephesians 2:20, Jude 1:3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Change, Strategy, Guide, strategy

Move Your Church From Consumers To Disciples

By Bill Couchenour on Mar 21, 2024

The greatest threat to the church may not be external opposition but internal consumerism. Biblical discipleship demands recalibrating expectations, structures, and leadership.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9, Colossians 3:17, Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Attendance, Church Discipline, Leadership, Commitment, leadership, Body  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor The Church You’d Want To Attend

By Bill Couchenour on Jan 24, 2024

Church health is shaped less by charisma and more by character, relationships, and adaptive leadership in hinge moments of history.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2-7, Proverbs 22:1, Acts 2:47, Esther 4:14

Tags: Building, Preaching, relationships, lead, Leadership General, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How Church Buildings Shape The Hearing Of A Sermon

By Ron Geyer on May 27, 2021

The design of a worship space influences how people listen, participate, and respond to preaching. Architecture, acoustics, and layout silently communicate priorities and shape the congregation’s experience of the Word.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:4-8, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Colossians 3:16, Psalm 96:6, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Building, Preaching, Sound, room, Loud, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Sharing The Pulpit Can Strengthen A Church

By Larry Osborne on Oct 11, 2024

Many pastors treat preaching as the center of ministry, but sharing the pulpit can strengthen both the church and the pastor when it is done wisely.

Scripture: Zechariah 5:1-4, Acts 6:2-4, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, 2 Timothy 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Leadership, Pulpit, Preaching, pulpit, Share, church leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Bible Reading Is Down At Your Church

By Peter Mead on Jul 10, 2025

The most recent research presents troubling results. How does your church measure up?

Tags: e, preaching, bible, Bible, Study, Preaching, Isolation, fragment  (view more)  (view less)

50 Forgotten Days The Church Desperately Needs

By Ray Hollenbach on Feb 8, 2023

The days between Easter and Pentecost are usually an afterthought, yet they can become an opportunity to preach the significance of the resurrection.

Tags: Easter, Resurrection, Pentecost, Preaching, Significance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Whisper That Made Me Leave My Church

By Tod Bolsinger on Sep 9, 2021

I would hear that line echoed in my mind long after each conversation was over: "Why didn't seminary prepare me for this?"

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-25

Tags: Preaching, prepare, Theology, Seminary, curriculum  (view more)  (view less)

Why The Church? Six Bold Preaching Points

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 27, 2025

The bottom line is this: Church is God’s idea, and we ignore it at our peril.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-15

Tags: Forgiveness, Preaching, Equip, Church's witness, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stay At One Church For 40+ Years

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 16, 2026

Discover timeless wisdom on staying rooted in one church for 40 years. Learn key habits, mindset shifts, and relational tools that sustain long-term ministry.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Conflict Resolution, how to stay, preaching, Church Leadership, Ministry Longevity  (view more)  (view less)

What Is The Church's Mission? And Why Does It Matter?

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jan 20, 2021

With the vast majority of churches struggling in some way, it’s time to rethink our future mission.

Tags: Preaching

8 Lame Excuses Church Leaders Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 27, 2023

One of the best practices you can develop as a leader is to identify your excuses and eliminate them. Start thinking and talking a different game.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, church culture, Explanation, Rules, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The "Measure Up Mentality” In Today’s Church

By Charles Stone on Dec 12, 2021

The ‘measure up mentality’ can suck the joy out of ministry. By applying a few simple ideas, you can stay positive and encouraged in your ministry even when you feel you don’t measure up in the eyes of others.

Scripture: Psalm 62:5

Tags: leadership, Preaching, pastor, Laziness, hard work, Pastor, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Church Growth Is A Shockingly Inexact Science

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 6, 2021

"There is no surefire method for numerical church growth. Period."

Tags: Preaching, Church Growth, preaching