In Preaching Articles: "Ministry Challenges"

10 Ways To Have A Reproducing Culture

By Ron Edmondson on May 7, 2021

You can’t recruit leaders – at least not effectively – if you never develop a culture to do so. Reproducing cultures reproduce leaders.

Tags: empower, church culture, ministry vision, church leadership

How To Recruit And Keep The Best Volunteers

By Josh Reich on Jan 26, 2022

The idea of recruiting volunteers is overwhelming and difficult at times. There never seems to be enough people, and the ones who are serving are often tired and feel like they are the only ones serving.

Tags: Communication, Lay Leadership, ministry vision, Recruiting, communication  (view more)  (view less)

The Light-Hearted Pastor Is An Oxymoron

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 27, 2022

To expect to carry the message without feeling the weight is asking a little much.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:28

Tags: pressure, Human Weakness, bearing burdens, Pastoral Ministry

Hidden In My Heart

By Megan Briggs on Apr 8, 2024

Have we lost sight of the need to memorize Scripture in our digital age?

Scripture: Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2

Tags: memory, Disciplines Scripture, children's ministry, Memory Devices

A Word To The Small Town Pastor

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 8, 2022

Sometimes people don’t know how well they are doing.

Tags: Perspective, Pastors, Small Church, Pastoral Ministry, perspective  (view more)  (view less)

Freedom And Vision: Building A Collaborative Team Culture

By Glenn Packiam on Aug 21, 2023

Should I tell the team what I want them to do or should I let them create on their own?

Tags: Freedom, ministry vision, church leadership, Empowered churches

Live And Die By The Numbers

By Lance Witt on Apr 11, 2023

But numbers become a problem in the heart of a pastor when they move from being a point of celebration to becoming the driver of our motivation.

Scripture: Acts 2:47

Tags: motivation, Church Growth, success in ministry, intimacy with Christ

6 Things Millennials Need From Pastors

By Joe Hoagland on Mar 26, 2022

What I always try to get across is there is no magic bullet to reach millennials.

Tags: Culture, authentic ministry, future generations, millennials, culture  (view more)  (view less)

5 Things You Should Never Say To A Small Church Pastor

By Karl Vaters on Oct 24, 2023

Don’t just get the content right. Consider how it might feel to the hurting pastors who need your help the most.

Tags: leadership, advice, Small Church, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (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, Visitors, church ministry, Welcoming Others, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

You Might Be A Celebrity Pastor Wannabe If...

By Jared Moore on Oct 6, 2025

The tempting pull toward celebrity is everywhere, including ministry. Check yourself against this list.

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Popularity, celebrity, wannabe, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ingredients Of A Home Run Sermon

By Rick Ezell on Feb 7, 2025

A home run sermon consistently delivers biblical substance, clarity, interest, and relevance. These four essential ingredients help preachers connect with real people.

Scripture: Mark 6:12

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preparation, Religion, Relevance, pastoral leadership, practical ministry, preaching, teaching, Pastoral Leadership, Practical Ministry, Preaching Skills  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 30, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Without Cabin Pressure

By Ron Forseth on Aug 10, 2023

Preaching is an opportunity to creatively illustrate the urgency of the gospel and to challenge believers to watch for those people God brings into their lives to tell them about Christ—or at least to invite them to church to hear it where they know their pastor will consistently and clearly share the good news.

Tags: priorities, Evangelism Urgency, preaching Christ, Call to salvation

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)