In Preaching Articles: "Local Church Purpose"

Does Preaching Still Work?

By Kenton C. Anderson on Oct 7, 2020

Though many question its impact, preaching remains central to spiritual formation because God still speaks through His Word.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Acts 20:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

10 Multisite Myths (And Realities)

By Jim Egli on Nov 2, 2020

Multisite ministry is often misunderstood. Data and experience show that many common objections are either exaggerated or simply false.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Ephesians 4:11-12, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Growth, Missions, Multisite, In Christ, church  (view more)  (view less)

Does Everything Need A Biblical Precedent?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 3, 2020

Some Christians reject anything new without a clear biblical precedent. Yet Scripture shows a God who often works in surprising and unexpected ways.

Scripture: Matthew 13:52, Acts 2:1-4, Joshua 10:13, Acts 8:39, 2 Kings 2:11  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Church, Change, Congregation, unprecedented, church  (view more)  (view less)

What Is The Future Of Preaching?

By Dwayne Milioni on Mar 2, 2024

A homiletics professor offers 14 thoughts on the future of preaching in the American church.

Tags: Church, Preaching, American, Homiletics, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Why Is It So Difficult To Lead A Church Through Change?

By Rob Pochek on Jul 10, 2025

Everyone says they want change, so what's the problem?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 9:3-6, Titus 3:1-5

Tags: Church, leadership, Change, Pastoring, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

How To Avoid Settling For Good Enough Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 5, 2022

You can take a stand against “good enough ministry” in your church with a simple practice adopted from the business world: writing down how things should be done.

Tags: Excellence, details, church and business, church organization

8 Ways To Make Church Change Run Smoother

By Charles Stone on May 30, 2022

In your church you’re probably trying to bring change in some way or are contemplating it.

Tags: Church, Change, Healthy Relationship, Transitions, church  (view more)  (view less)

Six Details To Include In Your Church Staff Bios

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 14, 2022

When we talk with first-time guests about church websites, many of them share their surprise that the website fails to include bios or any information other than a name for the church staff.

Tags: Healthy Church, Connect, Clarity, church ministry, Church Website, Digital Strategy, Executive Pastor, Church Bio, connect  (view more)  (view less)

When People Make Up Stories About You: A Pastor’s Guide To Handling Labels

By Charles Stone on Jul 31, 2024

Pastors are often misunderstood and mischaracterized. Responding with wisdom, restraint, and Christlike character helps transform false stories into God-honoring ones.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12

Tags: Church Relationships

How To Get Out Of A Ministry Funk

By Tim Stevens on Apr 9, 2020

Churches and leaders go through seasons of malaise where momentum fades and clarity disappears. This article explores why funks happen and offers practical steps that helped one ministry find its way out.

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Church Practices

Preaching For Life-Change

By Rick Long on Mar 31, 2025

MacArthur warns against shallow preaching, but Scripture allows diverse methods. Faithful preaching aims at transformed lives, not uniform styles.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 8:29, James 1:22, Ephesians 4:11-16

Tags: Church Discipleship

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

Your Great Preaching Is Not Going To Build Your Church!

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 12, 2022

Get out of the office, pastor, and knock on some doors. Later, you can get your people to do it. But first, you do it. Do it by yourself, if you must. Or take someone with you. Do it by appointment or cold-turkey. But do it. That is as profound a way as I know to build a great church.

Tags: Church Growth, Church Attendance, Personal Evangelism, Growth Strategy, Building the Church, Out of the Office, Door to door, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

3 Big Problems With Running A Church Like A Business

By Karl Vaters on Oct 4, 2022

"We’re always decrying the rise of the consumer culture within the church. But how should we expect people to act when pastors act like CEOs marketing Jesus as a product?"

Tags: Jesus is Lord, pastoral leadership, church and business, Pastoral Ministry, avoiding burnout, church ministry, Lord Of The Church, shallow church  (view more)  (view less)

Top 3 Mistakes Churches Make With New Believers

By Bob Franquiz on May 9, 2020

Discover the three mistakes churches make that keep new believers from "sticking."

Tags: Outreach, Discipleship, Assimilation, New believer, Church General  (view more)  (view less)