In Preaching Articles: "Ministry Challenges"

The Hardest Part Of Ministry: Saying No

By David L. Hansen on Jun 29, 2025

Saying "no" can help focus your ministry, your leadership and your preaching.

Tags: Angelic work, say no, ministry, preaching, Ministry, Preaching, hard  (view more)  (view less)

10 Sacred Cows That Need To Be Tipped

By Jared Moore on Sep 6, 2024

From entertainment-driven sermons to numbers-obsessed ministry, this article challenges common church practices that subtly undermine biblical faithfulness.

Scripture: John 21:20-22, Matthew 28:18-20, John 4:23-24, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Galatians 1:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Leadership, Preaching Ministry, Preaching, Faithfulness, Method, church leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Would You Rather Hear *good Sermon, Pastor* Or *you Just Destroyed My World*?

By David Fitch on Feb 3, 2023

There's a difference between safe, enjoyable preaching and challenging the listener. How do you divide the two?

Tags: preaching, Devil, Preaching, Safe, challenge, listener, enjoyable  (view more)  (view less)

How To Get Out Of A Ministry Funk

By Tim Stevens on Apr 8, 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

5 Thoughts About Excellence In Ministry

By Brandon Cox on Mar 28, 2025

Excellence honors God, but it must never overshadow the mission. These five principles help ministry leaders pursue quality without drifting from gospel priorities.

Scripture: Colossians 3:17, Ecclesiastes 11:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Romans 12:11, Matthew 28:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Excellence, Christian Discipleship, preaching

10 Leadership Traps To Avoid In Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 7, 2025

Leadership can either multiply people or suffocate them. These ten destructive leadership traits erode trust, stifle growth, and damage organizations from the inside out.

Scripture: Luke 16:10, Proverbs 29:25, Colossians 3:23, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Peter 5:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags:

My First Year Ministry Mistakes

By Josh Tandy on Jul 1, 2020

Seminary didn’t prepare me for ministry reality. These early mistakes taught me more than success ever could.

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-13, Proverbs 11:14, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Leadership Mistakes

Three Pillars Of A Strong, Dynamic Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 9, 2023

Brandon Cox: "When it comes to leading a strong ministry and building a healthy church, it takes more than solid theology or smart strategy."

Tags: ministry, Ministry, strategy, strength, Power of God, Pillar  (view more)  (view less)

5 Ways To Minimize Ministry Silos

By Charles Stone on Jul 25, 2022

Silos occur in organizations and churches when leaders act like their ministry or team is the only one that matters. A silo attitude results in that leader or team only supporting, giving, or attending functions that pertain to them. It can kill a ministry and result in many problems. In this post, I suggest ways to minimize ministry silos.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3, Romans 15:5, Psalm 133:1

Tags: Trust, leadership, unity, Ownership, Volunteer, Harmony, Consider Others, Step Up, Leadership  (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, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 15, 2022

Pastoral calling can fade under pressure, success, or discouragement. This reflection uncovers why ministers lose sight of their call and how to remember it again.

Tags: Church, Call, pastor, Pastors, Small Church, Church General, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout  (view more)  (view less)

Larry Osborne: My Ministry Game-Changers

By Larry Osborne on Feb 5, 2026

Larry Osborne offers time-tested wisdom to help leaders avoid two dangerous mindsets that often destroy pastors.

Tags: leadership, Character, Leadership General, Leadership

7 Ways To Affair-Proof Your Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 6, 2020

Moral failure devastates families and churches. These seven practical guardrails help leaders protect their hearts, marriages, and ministries from the pull of lust.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Matthew 5:28, 1 Timothy 3:2

Tags: Character

Balancing Grace And Truth In Christian Life And Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 15, 2021

Christians often emphasize either grace or truth, but Jesus embodied both. Healthy ministry, evangelism, and discipleship require holding grace and truth together.

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:8-9, Isaiah 40:1-15, Luke 18:1-8, John 1:14-17, Luke 12:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: gospel, preaching, Grace, Gospel, Truth, Preaching, Balance, grace  (view more)  (view less)

You Can Love Ministry And Miss Jesus

By Marshall Segal on Dec 19, 2021

What captivates your heart more: what God does through you, or what he has done for you?

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-5, Philippians 3:7-8, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Luke 10:3, Matthew 10:7-8, Luke 10:17-20, Colossians 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, priorities, loving God, Christian Priorities