In Preaching Articles: "Ministry Leadership"

The Top 8 Reasons Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 26, 2023

Why is it that most churches never break the 200 attendance mark?

Tags: Church Growth, Barriers, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Barriers to Growth, Growth Strategy  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Oil Crisis

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2022

What are you trusting God for? What are attempting for God’s glory that requires faith? Sadly, the more years people serve in ministry, the less risk-taking faith they demonstrate. We can begin to rely on our experience, our skills, and our planning to win the day. Yet, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Hebrews 11:6

Tags: Faith, Ministry, Trust, Elisha, relying on god, Risk taking, church leadership, Daring Faith, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor Grinch

By Lance Witt on Jun 20, 2024

As pastors, how do we celebrate Christmas without getting lost in the shuffle of busy church activities?

Scripture: Luke 2:17-19

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Holidays, Christmas Advent, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Serving Others, church ministry  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways To Process The Emotions Of Betrayal As A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 27, 2022

"Suddenly I was feeling a stirring in my stomach. I became slightly nervous. It was a brief encounter, but I quickly realized I was being reminded of a few very painful experiences in my own leadership and life. I was recalling the emotions of betrayal."

Scripture: Isaiah 61:3, Philippians 4:19, Acts 1:13

Tags: Forgiveness, Healing, leadership, conflict, Betrayal, Forgiveness for Others, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, grieving, Overcoming hurt, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

12 Powerful Questions Pastors Should Ask About Effective Leadership

By Charles Stone on Jun 9, 2023

Here are a helpful set of questions about effective leadership pastors should ask themselves and ask about those who serve on their staff.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, pastor, Pastor, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Deadly Statements Of Church Members

By Thom Rainer on Oct 13, 2022

"Words have meaning. And if church members start articulating words consistently, those words begin to reflect the priorities and passions of the church."

Tags: conflict, relationships, Church worship, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

You Can’t Force Teamwork

By Lance Witt on Jul 5, 2024

"When your car is aligned, it runs more efficiently, creates less wear and tear, and operates more smoothly. The same is true in creating alignment and teamwork within our ministries. It takes intentionality; you never drift into alignment. People with skill know how to get down inside the organization and align its systems and structures to increase effectiveness, minimize wasted effort, and achieve greater health."

Tags: Communication, leadership, strategy, Teamwork, Alignment, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, Effective Teams, Leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Five Steps To Respond To A Hurtful And Hateful Email

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 7, 2022

“You have no business being the pastor of our church. All you are interested in is getting your own way and changing all the good things we have going. People are saying you should be fired. I agree with them.”

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1

Tags: Perseverance, leadership, conflict, Criticism, loving people, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Difficult People, Facing Controversy, criticism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Best Way To Avoid Ministry Burnout That You Keep Forgetting

By Eric Bryant on Aug 5, 2024

Eric Bryant reminds leaders of a familiar story that holds a secret for avoiding ministry burnout.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27

Tags: Preaching, preaching

7 Strong Helps On Staying Married While Staying In Ministry

By Bob Hostetler on Jan 8, 2020

Pastor Bob Hostetler hasn't just survived the challenges that come with being married while in ministry; he lists his marriage as a major ministry success. How does that happen?

Tags: Ministry, Marriage

11 Reasons To Protect Your Spirit From The Demands Of Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 8, 2021

Pastoral ministry can be hazardous to our spiritual health. But it doesn’t need to be.

Tags: Preaching

Three Questions Every Small Group Ministry Must Answer

By James Emery White on Sep 22, 2022

"Regardless of the type of small group ministry you may have, there are three foundational questions that must be settled for maximum effectiveness and clear focus––yet seldom are. And they are foundational questions because they speak to the heart of your philosophy of ministry."

Tags: strategy, BIBLE STUDY, Small groups, Bible Study, Church Small Groups, Fellowship Group, Small Group Ministry, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

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)

Pastor And Prophet

By Lance Witt on May 11, 2024

"When it comes to our preaching, we live in the constant tension between pastor and prophet. On one hand, as pastors we want to encourage and care for the sheep. So, in our preaching we want to be uplifting and hopeful. On the other hand, as prophets we must sometimes say the hard things that the sheep don’t want to hear."

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pride, People pleasing, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)