In Preaching Articles: "Ministry Struggles"

Those Frustrating Times With Church Members

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 14, 2023

"Any pastor can tell you about it. Even when you do your best to serve God by ministering to His people, some church members are not going to forgive you. You didn’t do it their way, weren’t there when they called, didn’t jump at their bark." So how do you handle these kinds of situations?

Tags: conflict, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, ministry struggles, Difficult People, Love like Christ  (view more)  (view less)

The Hidden Struggles Of The Introverted Pastor

By Ron Edmondson on May 30, 2020

Introverted pastors often face misunderstandings, exhaustion, and hidden stress. Naming these struggles helps leaders guard their souls and shepherd with wisdom.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Mark 6:31, Philippians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Ecclesiastes 4:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: self awareness, Self Awareness

Can You Preach What You Struggle With?

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 5, 2025

Pastors often preach on areas where they still struggle. Honesty, humility, and commitment to the whole counsel of God make such preaching both faithful and effective.

Scripture: Acts 20:27, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 4:15-16, Romans 7:18-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, preaching, teaching, Life Experience, Whole Counsel of God  (view more)  (view less)

2 Rules For Transparency In The Pulpit

By Brady Boyd on Feb 21, 2025

Pastors should be honest, but honesty must be wise. True vulnerability builds hope, not confusion, and protects both the flock and loved ones from harm.

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Tags: Preaching, Honesty, Authenticity, Struggles, Transparency, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Your Struggling Church Can Turn Around Today – But Greatness Takes Time

By Karl Vaters on Aug 23, 2023

If you’re pastoring a church that has or is turning around, here's some great news - and possibly your greatest challenge.

Scripture: Revelation 21:5

Tags: leadership, renewal, patience, Church Health, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Is Like Setting A Wildfire—except When It's Not

By Jacob Myers on Mar 8, 2024

How do you decide what to burn and what to protect?

Scripture: Joshua 6:6-25, Proverbs 8:34

Tags: wildfire, preaching, culture, Preaching, Culture, Reality, Struggle  (view more)  (view less)

Death By Ministry

By Eugene Cho on Jan 23, 2025

Pastoral ministry is rewarding yet deeply taxing. These insights and statistics reveal its strain, spiritual battles, and the urgent need to care for our pastors well.

Tags: Ministry, leadership, pastor, Servanthood, Church Body of Christ, Pastor, Pastor Encouragement, Clergy Wellness, Leadership, ministry challenges, ministry, pastor encouragement, Pastoral Health, Ministry Challenges  (view more)  (view less)

Becoming An Approachable Leader In Ministry

By Ken Sande on Mar 6, 2025

Approachability is essential for effective pastoral leadership. This guide shows how leaders earn trust, cultivate humility, and gain a “relational passport” with their people.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 18:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Mark 10:42-45  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Peace, leadership, pastor, conflict, relationships, Relational Wisdom, counsel, Communication General, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

The Secret Ingredient For Effective Ministry

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 17, 2025

What if there were a way to open the floodgates of heaven for other people? What if YOU could have this secret?

Scripture: John 5:9-16

Tags: Ministry, Humble, Humility, effective, humble heart, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

The Hardest Part Of Ministry: Saying No

By David L. Hansen on Jun 30, 2025

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

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

God’s Work In Your Depression

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 5, 2022

“Is this depression? I have almost no motivation for anything. I have been praying and I will keep praying for God to be my strength but how do you fight when you don’t feel like fighting?"

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3, Psalm 139:11-12

Tags: Emotions, Healing, endurance, Depression, Struggles, soul care, Fighting for Joy, Help for the Hurting  (view more)  (view less)

How To Get Out Of A Ministry Funk

By Tim Stevens on Apr 9, 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 29, 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 8, 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 2, 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