In Preaching Articles: "Local Church"

How To Preach Jesus Using The Psalms

By Jason Hood on Oct 7, 2024

Luther, Spurgeon, and Bonhoeffer saw Jesus as one of the chief subjects of the Psalms. Do you?

Scripture: Psalm 41:1-3, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Psalms, Praise, Preaching, Meekness, church fathers, Prayer Adoration, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

It's All About The Groom

By Lance Witt on Apr 11, 2024

In a healthy church Jesus is the most famous person. He gets the most airtime, he is the most talked about, and he is clearly center stage.

Scripture: Revelation 19:7, John 3:29, Song of Songs 8:1-4

Tags: Church Health, Pastoral Character, fixing eyes on Jesus, Christ Centered

You Become What You Think About The Most

By Josh Reich on Mar 29, 2023

The best companies (churches) have the best leaders. The second-best companies (churches) have the second-best leaders. The third-best companies (churches), in these times of turbulence, are unfortunately on their way out of business.

Tags: Image, Preaching, preaching

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 6, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, Christian growth, new life in Christ, Spiritual Transformation, preaching, church, Christian Growth, New Life In Christ  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ministry Killers Every Pastor’s Wife Faces

By Charles Stone on Aug 20, 2025

Eight in ten pastors’ wives say they feel unappreciated or unaccepted by their husband’s congregations. Charles Stone and his wife give insight into how to protect your spouse and your marriage during the sometimes difficult calling of pastoral ministry.

Tags: Ministry, stress, Marriage, wife, family, Stress, relationships, priorities, home, Difficulties, pastoral care, Spouse, Church Body of Christ, Marriage General, church leadership, ministry, marriage support, Church Leadership, Pastoral Care, Ministry Health, Pastors Wife, Marriage Support  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ideas To Make Your Christmas Eve Service Memorable

By Josh Reich on Dec 19, 2024

Christmas Eve is coming, and millions of people will walk into a church to experience something. But what will they get when they walk into your church or mine?

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Christmas Eve, invite, Simplicity, Gospel centered, church leadership, Christmas Service  (view more)  (view less)

When Is A Sermon Good Enough?

By Stephen Gregory on Jul 15, 2024

A pastor wrestles with preparation, expectations, and perfectionism, discovering how God uses imperfect sermons when the preacher is faithful, honest, and attentive to the flock.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, spiritual growth, Communication General, Pastoral Ministry, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Five Surprising Insights About The Unchurched

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 15, 2023

Many church leaders and members have such misperceptions about the unchurched, churches often fail to reach them, or even attempt to reach them.

Tags: Evangelism, Unchurched, habit, evangelism

Back To The Heart Of Worship

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 19, 2023

Jesus is greatly honored when we bring ourselves, with the Holy Spirit’s help, back to the heart of worship again and again.

Scripture: John 4:24, 1 Corinthians 10:12

Tags: Holy Spirit, Music, How to Worship, Church worship, fixing eyes on Jesus  (view more)  (view less)

There Is Something Else About Preaching...

By Guy Davies on Aug 28, 2024

"Great biblical preaching and preparation are indispensable to the church."

Tags: Holy Spirit, Preaching, preparation, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Reasonable Compensation For Pastors And Ministers

By Thomas J. Winters on Jan 9, 2025

Pastoral compensation must be fair, transparent, and compliant with IRS standards. This guide explains how churches determine reasonable pay and avoid excess benefit violations.

Tags: Money, Leader, Budget, pastor, finances, practice, Speculation, Church Practices, Leadership General, Church Governance, Pastor, leader, Pastoral Compensation, IRS Compliance, Nonprofit Accountability, Minister Pay  (view more)  (view less)

How I Write A Sermon

By Bruce Frank on Aug 16, 2020

Bruce Frank, lead pastor of of Biltmore Baptist Church, one of the top 50 fastest-growing churches in America, shares his sermon prep process.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Heart, Study, repent, circumcise, Sword, Reject  (view more)  (view less)

When A Pastor Is A Growth Barrier - Part One: Dealing With Sin

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 14, 2024

I have worked for a long time to help pastors with growth barriers in their church. They can be anything from worship issues to strategy to theology and more. So many barriers can get in the way of a church growing, but a central one isn’t found in the processes of the church. There may be a number of reasons a ministry grows cold and a church slows down. But often, the heart of the problem is the heart of the pastor.

Tags: CLERGY SIN

Secrets To Sermons On Giving

By Bob Russell on Jan 7, 2025

Stewardship preaching doesn’t have to repel people. With timing, tone, and practical teaching, pastors can address money biblically and help believers grow in generosity.

Scripture: Mark 10:21

Tags: Faith, Money, Healing, Giving, Stewardship, Power, Preaching, miracles, Funeral, Generosity, Homosexuality, Tithes, election, Tithing, Labor, Giving General, Christian Giving, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

3 Levels Of Leadership: Are Your Leaders In The Right Place?

By Brandon Kelley on Sep 4, 2022

Every church has leaders, but not every church has leaders in the right place. If there’s a person in the wrong place in leadership, extensive damage can be done.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:12

Tags: leadership, Teamwork, Dependability, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church leadership, Leader of Others, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)