In Preaching Articles: "Joe Mckeever"

The Worst Thing About My Own Sermons

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 22, 2024

Joe McKeever loves praise as much as the next guy. He also knows the preaching error he is most likely to make.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Dealing With The Preacher-Eaters

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 21, 2020

Joe McKeever shares practical advice for dealing with the self-appointed church rulers who try to dominate your preaching and your ministry.

Scripture: 3 John 1:9-10

Tags: Ministry, leadership, Prayer, affliction, Confrontation, Church Practices  (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

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, sermon preparation, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

Small church growth stalls for reasons deeper than numbers. These ten barriers reveal why congregations stay stuck and how leaders can pursue renewed health and mission.

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

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, church, Pastoral Leadership, Small Church Growth, Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Vitality, Church Health, Small Church, Church Practices, pastoral leadership, spiritual vitality, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When You Are Not A Mother: Honoring Moms Without Pretending

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 30, 2020

Many pastors dread Mother’s Day sermons. This article shows how to preach honestly when you are not a mom, honoring real struggles through Mary, prayer, and prodigal hope.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Tags: Holidays, Preaching, pastor, mothers, mother's day, Motherhood, Pastoral Ministry, Pastor, preaching, sermon ideas, Sermon Ideas  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Principles For Pastors Leading Plateaued Churches

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2022

Many churches plateau, but pastors don’t have to. These ten principles guide leaders toward renewal through prayer, humility, small improvements, and practical, Spirit-led steps.

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Shepherding, church, Pastoral Leadership, Plateaue, Ministry Health, Fail, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, shepherding, Pastor, Leadership  (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)