In Preaching Articles: "Mysterious Ways"

A Dozen Ways To Kill A Great Idea

By SermonCentral .com on May 28, 2021

From preaching topics to outreach programs, how many great ideas have fallen into these potholes?

Tags: Idea, Plan, Kill, Improve, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Connect With Older Congregations

By Lane Sebring on Apr 21, 2023

Seasoned saints have heard a lot of preaching: can you still reach them in fresh ways?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

9 Ways Clarity Benefits Leaders

By Charles Stone on May 24, 2023

How would you rank your clarity in your ministry? Here are nine benefits of being clear as you lead your church.

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

5 Ways To Talk About Money

By Kent Woodyard on Dec 8, 2021

After spending the past three years working for an online and mobile giving provider, I am obviously a believer in the power of technology to increase giving to the Church. Through that time, however, I have also been confronted with the limitations of technology. Important? Certainly. Enough? Definitely not!

Tags: Money, Teaching, Generosity, Giving General, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Have A Reproducing Culture

By Ron Edmondson on May 6, 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

3 Ways To Collaborate In Sermon Preparation

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 4, 2022

Have you ever considered how you might collaborate in sermon prep?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1

Tags: collaboration, Teaching Prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, Teaching, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, working together  (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: Ownership, Volunteer, Harmony, Consider Others, Step Up, Leadership, Trust, leadership, unity  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Defeat Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Dec 10, 2023

Discouragement comes with the territory for ministry leaders. Unmet goals, putting out fires, staff issues, displeasing people, and general tiredness all contribute to discouragement. When it weighs us down, how can we dig out? The life of the prophet Elijah gives us hope.

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, Elijah's Depression, Fighting for Joy, Leadership, Perseverance, leadership, Discouragement, Depression, Elijah's faith  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Bust Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Sep 27, 2022

"Discouragement is a universal experience for ministry leaders and the word actually self-defines itself…dis-courage meaning no courage. Some of the Bible’s greatest characters faced it: Moses, David, Paul, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the apostles. Nehemiah, the great Old Testament leader faced it when he led the Jews to rebuild the wall. Yet, his response offers us hope when we face it."

Scripture: Psalm 77:11, Nehemiah 4:10-21

Tags: Blessings, Burdens, Leadership, Nehemiah, leadership, Discouragement, thought life, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Overcome A Sense Of Christmas Loss

By Ron Edmondson on Dec 8, 2018

Several years ago, to prepare for a Christmas message, I consulted with two professional Christian counselors in our church.

Tags: Christmas, Grief, Worship General

14 Ways To Help Unborn Babies And Their Mothers

By Randy Alcorn on Mar 8, 2020

A practical guide offering 14 concrete ways Christians can champion the pro-life cause through service, advocacy, education, generosity, and prayer.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 139:1-24

Tags: Church, Preaching, Abortion, mothers, Sanctity of Life, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

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: 2 Samuel 11, Proverbs 4:23, 1 Corinthians 10:12, Matthew 5:28, 1 Timothy 3:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Ministry, Marriage, temptation, Character, Integrity, ministry, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Make Your Announcements Better

By Chuck Lawless on Jan 21, 2026

Tired of clunky church announcements? Learn 10 effective strategies to communicate clearly and keep the focus on worship and the Word.

Tags: pastoral leadership, church announcements, church communication, Church Announcements, Worship Planning, Church Communication, Sunday Service Tips, Pastoral Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching To Students? 5 Ways To Make It Work

By Adam Ramsey on Jan 18, 2026

Learn five proven preaching strategies to effectively engage and equip young people with the gospel in a post-Christian culture.

Scripture: Judges 6:12-18, Judges 6:8-11

Tags: Preaching, Sincere, student, repetitive, interactive, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways To Approach Unsaved Church Members

By Brian Croft on Jul 23, 2024

Here are 4 suggestions to consider as you talk to a prospective church member who does not articulate a clear knowledge of the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Tags: Discernment, Preaching, preaching