In Preaching Articles: "Never Stop Learning"

Why Pastors Shouldn't Read Anonymous Notes

By David Whiting on Dec 23, 2021

Pastors and church leaders often receive anonymous comments, mysteriously appearing in the church office,the offering plate, or the “comments” section of the Sunday communication card.A few years ago, I stopped reading them. They don’t even get passed onto me. Asa church leader, I recommend that you do the same thing.

Tags: leadership, Boundaries, ignore, influences in life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Signs That You Need To Quit Something

By Charles Stone on Nov 28, 2023

Quitters never win and winners never quit was drilled into my mind at an early age. I believed it. I practiced it. I lived it. I only quit one thing in my life before age 18, my high school football team. I quit because I sat on the bench 99.976% of the time. Since, then, however, I’ve questioned the veracity of that phrase, as catchy as it may sound.

Tags: strategy, Overwhelmed, Busyness, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, giving up, quitting, Saying no  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Is Felt, Not Just Heard

By Peter Mead on Sep 23, 2020

Information alone does not transform. Learn how to move from a dense 10-minute outline to a sermon that breathes, paints images, and engages both mind and heart.

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-5, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Corinthians 4:2, Luke 15:11-32

Tags: Preaching, biblical theology, preaching, Biblical Theology

Which Bible Translation Is Best? How To Choose The Right One

By Clay Smith on Jul 16, 2021

Christians often debate Bible translations, but the real goal is understanding and living God’s Word. Learn how different translations work and how to choose wisely.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, Acts 2:6, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:105, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bible, Holy Spirit, Guide, translation, Bible Influence, bible  (view more)  (view less)

Leading *chreasters* To Christ: 8 Ideas

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 17, 2025

Christmas and Easter bring many first-time church guests. Learn practical strategies churches can use to connect with holiday visitors and encourage them to return.

Scripture: Luke 19:10, Matthew 28:19, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 10:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Outreach, New, interest, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

How To Stay At One Church For 40+ Years

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 16, 2026

Discover timeless wisdom on staying rooted in one church for 40 years. Learn key habits, mindset shifts, and relational tools that sustain long-term ministry.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Conflict Resolution, how to stay, preaching, Church Leadership, Ministry Longevity  (view more)  (view less)

10 Of The Greatest Leadership Questions Ever Asked

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 14, 2022

I have learned in my years of leadership – I only know what I know. And, many times I don’t know much.

Tags: Leadership Listening, Listening, questions

Eight Ideas For Reaping The Fruit Of Your Vacation Bible School

By Hal Seed on Jul 7, 2024

Learn how to move beyond counting VBS attendance to measuring true fruit by building relationships, following up well, and enfolding unchurched families into the life of your church.

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Children, Outreach, family, VBS, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Every New Believer Should Know

By Brian Mavis on Mar 6, 2025

New believers thrive when they learn God’s love, grace, Scripture, prayer, community, and Christ centered living early. These ten lessons safeguard a healthy start.

Scripture: Matthew 6:33, James 4:10, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:16, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, spiritual formation, Spiritual Formation

Do Your Listeners Feel The Text?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Nov 26, 2020

Faithful preaching requires sound exegesis, but powerful sermons also help listeners experience the biblical story. Learn how engaging the senses can deepen your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 8:48, Luke 8:43, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, audience, Engage, feel, exegesis, preaching, Exegesis  (view more)  (view less)

Why Faith Often Lives In The Tension

By Jonathan Martin on May 16, 2021

The Bible presents a world filled with complexity, flawed people, and unresolved tensions. Learning to live faithfully within that tension can deepen our understanding of God’s grace.

Scripture: Psalm 103:10-14, Romans 5:8, John 8:10-11, Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Jesus Christ, Certain, ambiguity, christian living, grace, Christian Living  (view more)  (view less)

11 Common Preaching Mistakes That Distract From God

By Jared Moore on Jan 4, 2026

Avoid 11 common preaching mistakes that shift focus from God to yourself. Learn how to preach Christ-centered sermons that point hearers to God’s truth.

Tags: preaching tips, Expository Preaching, expository preaching, Preaching Tips, Preaching Mistakes, Biblical Communication, Christ Centered Sermons  (view more)  (view less)

Beware Of Over-Hyped Intros!

By Peter Mead on Jan 27, 2026

Your message intro shouldn’t feel like a spiritual infomercial. Learn how to connect meaningfully with your audience without overstating your message’s impact.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Will More Invitations Result In More Salvations?

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 28, 2021

For a long time I’ve wondered if there is a relationship between the number of salvations a church experiences, and the number of times it offers salvation invitations. We’ll never know for sure, but I’m conducting an experiment this year.

Tags: Outreach, challenge, preaching the gospel, gospel invitation, Gospel Challenge  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper, George Mueller, And The Pleasures Of God

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 8, 2022

God is like a great Niagara Falls—you look at it and think: surely this can’t keep going at this force for year after year after year. It seems like it would have to rest. Or it seems like some place up stream it would run dry. But, no, it just keeps surging and crashing and making honeymooners happy century after century. That’s the way God is about doing us good. He never grows weary of it. It never gets boring to him.

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-18, Jeremiah 32:39-41, Psalm 119:68, Deuteronomy 30:9, Ephesians 2:7, Philippians 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Salvation, Unfailing Love, john piper, Endless Grace, Riches of Grace, George Mueller  (view more)  (view less)