In Preaching Articles: "Joe Mckeever"

10 Reasons Small Churches Tend To Stay Small

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

After working for years among hundreds of small congregations, Joe McKeever speaks to the subtle growth barriers that tend to go unnoticed or unaddressed in stagnant churches.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Small Church, Church Practices, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

Your Mother's Day Sermon, Pastor

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 30, 2020

Why is it so difficult for pastors of all ages to preach Mother’s Day sermons? Pastor-to-pastors Joe McKeever gives some assistance.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Tags: Holidays, Preaching, pastor, mothers, mother's day  (view more)  (view less)

10 Suggestions For The Shepherd Of A Stagnant Flock

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2022

Non-growing churches are not healthy, at least in some significant ways. Joe McKeever gives his input to help revive a church that seems to have "plateaued."

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Fail, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

10 Suggestions For The Shepherd Of A Stagnant Flock

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 3, 2020

Non-growing churches are not healthy, at least in some significant ways. Joe McKeever gives his input to help revive a church that seems to have "plateaued."

Tags: Preaching, Sheep, Apathy, lead, Church Purpose of, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Reasons To Preach The Same Sermon Twice

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 23, 2020

Joe McKeever: "Have fun preaching those repeats, pastor. At least this is one time you do not have to reinvent the wheel or discover fire all over again."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Effective Pastors Never Do These Deadly 5 Things

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 11, 2021

Great advice from Joe McKeever: "Don’t ever resign your church in a fit of passion. In a rush of anger. That’s a huge no-no for preachers."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Your Congregation Wants To Hear At Christmastime

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 15, 2023

Joe McKeever helps reframe our calling: "The people who make up your congregation do not require anything new from you regarding the Christmas story this season or any season. "

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-16

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Adjusting To Reality: Loss And The Christian Life

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 4, 2020

Earlier this year, author and pastor Joe McKeever lost his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Margaret. In this moving article, he reflects on what it means to "adjust" to the new reality--and how faith requires an adjustment, as well.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:14-17

Tags: death in Christ

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

Proper preparation is not for the faint of heart. It takes prayer, study, and practice.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, preparation, e  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Whether we are a critic or a lover of the church — or for some of us, both — it's important to remain balanced.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept  (view more)  (view less)

Skeletons In The Pulpit And Cadavers In The Pews

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 26, 2020

Alone, catchy points on sermon outlines cannot move people any more than a skeleton will move with no meat on its bones.

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-10, Genesis 9:1, Matthew 21:1-15

Tags: obedience, Preaching, preaching

Daring Preaching Engages The Culture: Does Yours?

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 26, 2024

No gospel worker who remains aloof from the culture where he goes to minister will have much effect on it.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Outline That Sermon -- If You Can

By Joe Mckeever on May 17, 2025

Sure, it seems like a no-brainer, but what if you're a "right-brained preacher"?

Scripture: Romans 10:1-12

Tags: Preaching, Brain, Outline, brain, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How I Learned To Love Preaching About Money

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 30, 2020

Few subjects are as fraught with danger for the unsuspecting pastor as preaching on stewardship.

Tags: Money, Budget, Preaching, finances, Learning  (view more)  (view less)

Why *preaching Out Of The Overflow* May Not Work

By Joe Mckeever on May 19, 2021

You know the saying, "Let go, and let God." That's a fine idea ... and sometimes not.

Tags: Preaching, audience, overflow, problem, preaching  (view more)  (view less)