In Preaching Articles: "Local Church Leadership"

How To Lead People-Friendly Change In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 13, 2022

I’ve been studying the art of change management lately and wanted to share a process with you that could save you a lot of grief the next time you think about a change in your church’s programs or procedures.

Tags: Communication, leadership, Change, Resilience, Leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

8 Reasons Why Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jul 14, 2023

While social media and even traditional media are still preoccupied with mega churches and multi-site churches, the reality is that most churches in North America are quite small.

Tags: Small Church, Leadership, leadership, Change, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)

8 Lame Excuses Church Leaders Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Mar 28, 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)

Seven Relational Skills Of Great Church Leaders

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 12, 2021

Most pastors and church leaders have never received formal training in relational skills. Perhaps these seven observations of outstanding leaders will prove helpful to many of you.

Tags: leadership, Prayer Life, Family Relationships, prayer life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The 25 Most Influential Preachers Of The Past 25 Years

By Michael Duduit on Jan 2, 2025

From Billy Graham to Tim Keller, this article profiles 25 preachers who have most shaped the American pulpit over the last 25 years and why their influence endures.

Tags: Church, leadership, Preaching, pastor, Influence, Circumstance, church, Church Leadership, Ministry History, Pivotal, Leadership General, church leadership, Pastor, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Was I So Hard On That Church I Visited?

By Karl Vaters on Jul 2, 2022

How might a newcomer view your church? What barriers may they face? What obstacles could be unintentionally in the way of them connecting and finding a place to belong?

Tags: Leadership, leadership, Visitors, church ministry, Welcoming Others  (view more)  (view less)

10 Leadership Traps To Avoid In Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 8, 2025

Ron Edmondson: "Leaders should energize others to realize their dreams, not stifle them."

Tags: Leadership General

Reluctant Leadership Is Better Than Nothing

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 18, 2021

You ask the question and–this is critical–you remain standing. You are not just expressing a point of view, you are asking for answers. And you are doing so in such a sweet manner, no one can accuse you of trying to stir up anything.

Scripture: Romans 9:1-20

Tags: responsibility, Preaching, hurting people, servant leadership

5 Things That Are Not A Badge Of Honor In Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Oct 31, 2023

There are some things I wore as badges of honor as a young leader I no longer wear as badges of honor today. What breaks my heart is I see many leaders falling into the same patterns I did.

Tags: Ministry, leadership, pastoral leadership, avoiding burnout, Leadership, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Defeat Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Dec 11, 2023

Discouragement comes with the territory for ministry leaders. Unmet goals, putting out fires, staff issues, displeasing people, and general tiredness all contribute to discouragement. When it weighs us down, how can we dig out? The life of the prophet Elijah gives us hope.

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, Elijah's Depression, Fighting for Joy, Leadership, Perseverance, leadership, Discouragement, Depression, Elijah's faith  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Bust Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Sep 28, 2022

"Discouragement is a universal experience for ministry leaders and the word actually self-defines itself…dis-courage meaning no courage. Some of the Bible’s greatest characters faced it: Moses, David, Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the apostles. Nehemiah, the great Old Testament leader faced it when he led the Jews to rebuild the wall. Yet, his response offers us hope when we face it."

Scripture: Psalm 77:11, Nehemiah 4:10-21

Tags: pastoral leadership, Blessings, Burdens, Leadership, Nehemiah, leadership, Discouragement, thought life  (view more)  (view less)

The "Measure Up Mentality” In Today’s Church

By Charles Stone on Dec 13, 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)

7 Things That Get Harder As Your Church Grows

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 7, 2023

Ever think that growth will solve all your problems?

Tags: leadership, Church Growth, Focus on Numbers, Elias livingstone, Leadership, Healthy Church, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church problems, church priorities, Effective Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 20, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, Leadership, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Training Lay Preachers? You Should!

By Chris Surber on Jan 24, 2024

When we neglect to develop and maintain active lay ministry in the life of the local church, our churches miss out in at least five ways.

Scripture: Proverbs 17:17

Tags: