In Preaching Articles: "Make Sense"

Seven Commitments Of Renewal Every Church Leader Should Make For A New Year

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 30, 2022

I see the New Year as a time for recommitment and re-focus. And though it is simply the changing of the page of a calendar, it is still a good time to be reminded about those areas that are most important in our lives.

Tags: Outreach, New Year, simplify, daily prayer

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

By Randy Alcorn on Mar 29, 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: pain, Trusting God, Grief, Loss, God's peace, Glorious Future, coping with loss, Resting in Christ, Pain  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: My Worst Christmas Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 22, 2020

Joe McKeever, after 50 years of preaching: "I still approach the task with a sense of awe and inadequacy."

Tags: Preaching, Awe, Inadequacy, worst sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Two Keys To Flourishing In The Digital Age

By Tony Reinke on May 24, 2022

We all seem to sense that — for good or bad — our smartphones are changing us, our habits, and our relationships.

Scripture: Matthew 22:40, John 6:35, Luke 14:33, Luke 10:27, Matthew 13:44, Luke 10:1-25, Psalm 34:8, Psalm 73:25-26, Philippians 3:8, Matthew 10:37  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Technology, Love Others, Love God

10 Things You Can Do To Make Your Pastor’s Sermons Better

By Jared Moore on Nov 19, 2020

Most people would be surprised there's anything they could do to help. Why don't you tell them?

Scripture: James 1:21-22

Tags: Preaching, pastor, teach, Learning, Improve, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

How Does A Pastor Know When It's Time To Make Changes In His Church

By Brian Croft on Sep 15, 2023

Whatever you do, choose battles wisely as if you will be at that church ten years or more. That will give you a different perspective and will help you be patient.

Tags: Wisdom, leadership, Change, Sacrificial love, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Pastors Make On Sundays (And What To Do About Them)

By Charles Stone on Jun 18, 2024

For pastors, Sunday can be the most draining day of the week. Intense people interaction, teaching or preaching, seeing our critics, trying to remember names, and attempting to put our own problems aside to listen to other peoples' problems add up to a stress-filled day. The very day we want to be at our best requires more from us than any other day. As a result, we can easily make one or more of the 5 biggest mistakes pastors make on Sundays. Evaluate this list to find out how many you make.

Tags: Preaching, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Sunday Morning, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Preach?

By David J. Lose on Oct 6, 2020

Your sense of why you preach shapes each and every sermon you deliver. Do you know why you preach?

Tags: Preaching

How To Worship In Times Of Sorrow

By Paul Baloche on Feb 11, 2021

Some of the hardest yet most inspiring times of worship occur during funerals. The raw emotions of sadness and loss are mixed with a sense of hope and eternal perspective.

Scripture: Psalm 42:5-6

Tags: Worship, Joy, Funeral, Sorrow

7 Ways Great Leaders Handle Their Mistakes

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jul 2, 2024

What makes leaders great is not that they stop making mistakes. What makes them great is how they handle their mistakes.

Scripture: Exodus 32:21-24, 2 Samuel 12:13-16

Tags: Humility, leadership, mistakes, Godly Leaders, Good leaders, practical advice, Correcting Mistakes, Problem Solver, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Need Help Reading Your Bible?

By C.j. Mahaney on Jun 7, 2024

"If more people approached the Bible with a deep sense of helplessness, and hope-filled reliance on God’s merciful assistance, there would be far more seeing and savoring and transformation than there is.”

Tags: Bible, BIBLE STUDY, priorities, bible reading, Bible Study, Growth in Christ, Christian growth, Spiritual Discipline, dependence on God, bible study, bible  (view more)  (view less)

All Pastors Plagiarize--Here's Why

By Erik Raymond on Aug 6, 2021

We read, listen, talk, think, integrate, pray and listen. This is what we do. "In one very real sense, pastors don’t know what is original and what is not."

Tags: Steal, Preaching, pastor, Plagiarism, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Liquid Teams

By Lance Witt on Nov 28, 2023

What are the makings of an exceptional team?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Tags: leadership, strategy, Teamwork, team building, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church leadership, Team Dynamics, e, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Forgiveness Is Not

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 10, 2022

Understanding forgiveness doesn’t make it easier to forgive, but it does make it more meaningful. I believe understanding the process could make us more likely to offer the forgiveness we are commanded to give.

Tags: Grace, Forgiveness, relationships, Loving Others, Being merciful , grace  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Need To Seriously Reconsider The Idea Behind The Altar Call

By Jeff K. Clarke on Sep 15, 2025

We are so desperate to have people make a decision that we rarely, if ever, tell them about the costs associated with making that decision.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, converts, altar call, costs, preaching  (view more)  (view less)