In Preaching Articles: "Know Your Audience"

Your Struggling Church Can Turn Around Today – But Greatness Takes Time

By Karl Vaters on Aug 22, 2023

If you’re pastoring a church that has or is turning around, here's some great news - and possibly your greatest challenge.

Scripture: Revelation 21:5

Tags: leadership, renewal, patience, Church Health, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To (Finally) Stop Giving In To The Pressure To Add More Ministries In Your Church

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 26, 2023

When you’re a church leader, you feel a lot of pressure.

Tags: focus, Simplicity, Church Body of Christ, ministry philosophy

6 Non Negotiable Traits You Need To Increase Your Leaderships Influence

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 28, 2023

As harsh as it sounds, here’s the truth: if a leader doesn’t buy you, they’ll rarely buy your idea.

Tags: Leadership, Humility, leadership, Influence, competence  (view more)  (view less)

One Major Thing You Can Do To Improve Your Worship Service

By Joe Hoagland on Apr 8, 2022

What if I told you there is one main thing you can improve to make people want to come back time and time again.

Tags: preaching, Preaching, illustration, Time of Reflection, sermon prep, Sermon Prep  (view more)  (view less)

3 Things To Remember When You’re Browsing Through Social Media

By Randy Alcorn on Sep 29, 2022

"Just as we should be intentional about what we post, we should also be intentional about how we process what others are posting."

Tags: social media, Rejoice with others, Covetousness, Competition, caution  (view more)  (view less)

How Your Calendar Is Killing You (And What To Do About It)

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 30, 2024

Here’s the sad truth: when your calendar is out of control, so are you. And so is your life.

Tags: pastoral leadership, Busyness, Time Management, productivity, Personal Life, Balanced Life, Workplace Balance, Schedule  (view more)  (view less)

When Your Pain Makes It Hard To Say "It Is Well With My Soul”

By Randy Alcorn on Mar 28, 2024

The pain was great, but God’s grace rose to the occasion. Despite his heartbreak, Spafford could say without pretense, “It is well with my soul.”

Scripture: Psalm 31:7, John 14:27, Isaiah 66:12-14

Tags: coping with loss, Resting in Christ, Pain, pain, Trusting God, Grief, Loss, God's peace, Glorious Future  (view more)  (view less)

Sermon Illustration: How Much Should We Give To God?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 8, 2023

If you've ever taken your kids to McDonald's, then this illustration is right up your alley.

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37, 1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Tags: Giving, Tithe, Give, Tithes, amount  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor + Scholar = Preacher

By Philip Ryken on Sep 2, 2021

John Calvin, the great reformer, is an excellent model if you're looking to develop your preaching skills.

Scripture: Acts 27:13-26

Tags: john calvin, preaching skill, Pastor, Preaching, pastor, Scholar  (view more)  (view less)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 26, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

The Best Way To Promote Church Growth? Support Small Churches

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 26, 2021

I want as many people as possible, all over the world, to know Jesus. The good news of the gospel can’t be confined within the walls of my church, the distinctives of my denomination, the borders of my country, or the customs of my culture.

Tags: Support, Preaching, Church Growth, Small Church

Pride Comes Before A Bad Sermon

By Tim Raymond on Aug 26, 2019

By all means, do your best in the preparation and delivery of your messages, but leave the results entirely up to God.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18

Tags: Preaching, Pride

Crafting Strong Sermons Requires Polish

By Terry Linhart on Nov 8, 2024

Some sermon checkpoints to buff a nice luster on your work and to ensure you're responsible and faithful in the process.

Tags: Preaching, practice, Organize, revise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Deal With A Preacher-Eater

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 21, 2023

Practical advice for dealing with the self-appointed church rulers who try to dominate your preaching and your ministry.

Tags: sons of diotrephes, preaching, Preaching, Ruler, practical advice  (view more)  (view less)

8 Signs You May Be An Anxious Leader

By Charles Stone on Jun 26, 2024

These seven signs might indicate that your leadership is being negatively affected by how you handle your anxiety.

Scripture: Philippians 4:6

Tags: Leadership, anxiety, Stress, Anxiety, pastoral leadership, worry and anxiety, Scripture Memory, Ministry Leadership, stress, leadership  (view more)  (view less)