In Preaching Articles: "Ministry Pressure"

Backyard Bbq Evangelism: A New, True Parable Of Outside-The-Church-Walls Ministry

By Karl Vaters on Sep 28, 2022

"Don't force people to do ministry your way. Help them with the ministry they're already passionate about."

Tags: Evangelism, Outreach, Spiritual Gifts, Body of Christ, Innovation, evangelism barriers, reaching the lost, evangelism planning, Conversational Evangelism, Unique Gifts, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Pastoral Transition: Setting Your Church Up For Ministry Success After You're Gone

By Karl Vaters on Oct 19, 2023

Following a long-term, successful pastorate is one of the hardest callings in ministry. Every pastor should do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for the next pastor and the church to do great ministry after we leave.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: leadership, servant leadership, Pastoral Transition, Decentralize, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

When The Applause Becomes A Drug

By Brady Boyd on Apr 19, 2020

Pastors face pressures that tempt them toward unhealthy escapes. One subtle danger is the craving for applause. True strength comes only from Christ, not the crowd.

Scripture: Galatians 1:10, John 3:30, 1 Peter 5:2-4, Psalm 73:26, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Addiction, leadership, Preaching, Cross, Crowd, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Secrets Many Senior Pastors Keep

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 14, 2024

Senior pastors lead with conviction, but many quietly carry pressure, loneliness, fear of failure, and the weight of others’ burdens. These ten realities reveal the heart behind the role.

Scripture: James 5:17, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 13:17

Tags: spiritual health, Spiritual Health

3 Indispensable Preaching Truths

By Tim Spivey on Feb 20, 2026

Pastor Tim Spivey shares field-tested truths preachers need to know for effective ministry.

Tags: Ministry, Truth, Preaching, effective, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Great Leadership Often Starts With A Broken Heart

By Brandon Cox on Oct 1, 2023

Usually, knowing what breaks your heart is knowing what you should do with your life, and how you should be leading others.

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4

Tags: broken, Brokenhearted, authentic ministry, Call to ministry

Re-Imagining Leadership

By Dan White Jr. on Oct 2, 2024

What does it really mean to grow in Christian leadership?

Tags: leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership

Preaching A Wedding: The Practical Do's And Don'ts

By Jared Moore on Mar 23, 2025

Preaching weddings brings unique pressures and expectations. These clear do’s and don’ts help pastors keep Christ central, avoid distractions, and communicate the gospel well.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-32, Proverbs 3:5-6, Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Matthew 19:4-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Death, Love, Commitment, Preaching, forever, Weddings, preaching, love  (view more)  (view less)

How To Craft Sermon Openers That Grab Attention

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 26, 2025

A wandering introduction loses listeners before the sermon even begins. Strong, simple, and compelling first sentences draw people in and prepare them to hear God’s Word.

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

Are You A Preacher Or A Motivational Speaker?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jan 6, 2023

Many sermons sound inspiring yet leave out the cross and the coming kingdom. When preaching mimics self-help, it loses the gospel’s power and eternal focus.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Luke 9:23, Galatians 6:14, Matthew 6:19-21

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

Top 10 Tips For Handling Church Critics

By Charles Stone on Aug 8, 2024

Criticism is unavoidable in ministry, but how pastors respond shapes their health and leadership. Here are practical ways to face critics with maturity and grace.

Scripture: Proverbs 15:1, James 1:19-20, Galatians 6:1, Proverbs 27:6, Colossians 3:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry Skills

John Piper: My View Of Preaching

By John Piper on Aug 20, 2024

True preaching is expository exultation explaining the Bible and exulting over its truth. This vision shapes the church, fuels worship, and carries eternal weight.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Nehemiah 8:8, Psalm 119:18, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

Narrative Preaching: Do You Make These 10 Mistakes?

By Peter Mead on Jul 2, 2020

Biblical narratives lose their power when preachers flatten them into lessons or principles. Avoid common pitfalls and learn how to preach stories as God intended.

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-14, Judges 6:11-24, Luke 10:25-37, John 2:1-11

Tags: Preaching Ministry

Preach Like A Storyteller

By Ray Hollenbach on May 10, 2021

If audiences will sit for hours watching story-driven films, preachers must ask why sermons often struggle to hold attention. The answer is narrative power.

Scripture: Joshua 2:2-5, Luke 24:27, Mark 4:34, Acts 17:2-3

Tags: Expository Ministry

Why Preachers Must Embrace Both/And Truth

By Chris Surber on Jun 4, 2021

Biblical preaching often presents truths that appear contradictory at first glance. Wise preachers help their congregations understand how these truths fit together within the whole counsel of Scripture.

Scripture: James 2:14-26, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 3:28, Ephesians 2:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral Ministry