In Preaching Articles: "Obstacles To Growth"

How Do I Study A Specific Topic In The Bible?

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 7, 2022

Studying the Bible does not need to be complex. Simple tools can help us glean amazing insights from the word.

Scripture: Proverbs 2:3-6, Jeremiah 29:13, 2 Timothy 2:7

Tags: BIBLE STUDY, Concordance, bible study, Personal Growth, writing, spiritual growth, Bible Study, Spiritual Discipline, Journaling  (view more)  (view less)

Your Great Preaching Is Not Going To Build Your Church!

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 12, 2022

Get out of the office, pastor, and knock on some doors. Later, you can get your people to do it. But first, you do it. Do it by yourself, if you must. Or take someone with you. Do it by appointment or cold-turkey. But do it. That is as profound a way as I know to build a great church.

Tags: Growth Strategy, Building the Church, Out of the Office, Door to door, church attendance, Church Growth, Church Attendance, Personal Evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Why People Leave And 3 Ways Pastors Respond

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

In the early days of starting Seacoast, I used to wince when someone asked for an appointment. “Was this another ‘core team member’ hanging up their spurs?”, I’d think to myself.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

Plan To Pray

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 28, 2023

I have been a pastor and spend a lot of time talking to pastors, and as I do I learn that one of the struggles many pastors have is prayer.

Tags: Prayer, Spiritual Discipline, Paul on prayer, Intentional Growth

8 Reasons Why Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jul 14, 2023

While social media and even traditional media are still preoccupied with mega churches and multi-site churches, the reality is that most churches in North America are quite small.

Tags: Small Church, Leadership, leadership, Change, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Live And Die By The Numbers

By Lance Witt on Apr 11, 2023

But numbers become a problem in the heart of a pastor when they move from being a point of celebration to becoming the driver of our motivation.

Scripture: Acts 2:47

Tags: motivation, Church Growth, success in ministry, intimacy with Christ

6 Brain Barriers To Healthy Church Change

By Charles Stone on Oct 19, 2023

Leaders often run into invisible brain barriers when they attempt change. Ignoring them can slow or stonewall a progress.

Tags: leadership, Change, Personal Growth, Overcoming Barriers, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Reading Your Bible Relationally

By Lance Witt on Jun 18, 2022

Growing in knowledge is important, but knowledge without relationship is dangerous. That was one of the big issues Jesus had with the Pharisees. They had biblical knowledge but their heart was far from God.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Scripture, Personal Growth, Quiet time, pastoral leadership

Developing Spiritual Intelligence With The Journey

By Alan E. Nelson on Mar 3, 2020

Spiritual intelligence helps believers integrate faith into everyday life. This article introduces The Journey, a practical tool to assess and plan soul growth.

Tags: spiritual, Soul, Discipleship, relationships, Health, counsel, spiritual growth, Gifts General, Christian Maturity, Spiritual Intelligence, Spiritual Growth, Soul Assessment  (view more)  (view less)

3 Unspoken Promises People Expect Leaders To Keep

By Hal Seed on Mar 7, 2020

Christian leaders carry unspoken promises to those who follow them. These expectations shape trust, care, and growth in every church and ministry setting.

Scripture: Romans 12:8

Tags: Leadership General, Leadership, Leadership Integrity, Shepherding Principles, leadership, Promise, Integrity, Church Growth, diligence, Christian Values  (view more)  (view less)

9 Bad Habits That Limit A Church's Ministry Capacity

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 14, 2024

It’s not about church growth. Or working harder. It’s about doing smarter ministry with our church’s current resources.

Tags: Lay Leadership, hindrances to prayer, ministry vision, Capacity, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

When (And Why) To Shake Off The Dust And Move On

By Ben Sternke on Aug 15, 2020

We can too easily normalize fruitlessness in the name of faithfulness. There's a big difference.

Tags: Discipleship, Missions, Church Growth, church planting, Evangelism The Lost  (view more)  (view less)

Why Spiritual Transformation Stalls And How Pastors Can Restart It

By Thom Rainer on Mar 5, 2020

Spiritual transformation often stalls in believers and churches. Identifying its root causes helps pastors guide congregations from stagnation to renewed gospel growth.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Spirit, Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Transformation, In Christ, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Not Every Exhortation Is Necessary

By Peter Mead on May 9, 2024

It is important to discern when an exhortation needs to be given, and when the listener is already aware of their need for growth and working hard by faith to become more like Christ.

Tags: teaching, exhortation, Preaching Help, effective preaching, Effective Teaching, Know your audience, preaching, Teaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Need Help Reading Your Bible?

By C.j. Mahaney on Jun 7, 2024

"If more people approached the Bible with a deep sense of helplessness, and hope-filled reliance on God’s merciful assistance, there would be far more seeing and savoring and transformation than there is.”

Tags: bible study, bible, bible reading, Bible Study, Growth in Christ, Christian growth, Spiritual Discipline, dependence on God, Bible, BIBLE STUDY, priorities  (view more)  (view less)