In Preaching Articles: "Pastor Encouragement"

The Problem With Both Talent And Charisma

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2022

Talent and charisma aren’t bad. They’re good. They’re gifts to be stewarded.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16

Tags: Relationship to God, Pastoral Character, Daniel, Humility, Integrity, charisma, Patriarchs Joseph  (view more)  (view less)

Death To Dancing Bears

By Lance Witt on May 31, 2022

“Sometimes as a worship pastor,” he said, “I feel like a dancing bear. It’s my job to get up and perform for the crowd, and as long as the performance is good, everyone is happy. Except me. Something is missing and I don’t know what to do.”

Tags: Ministry, burnout, pastoral leadership, Lost Focus, People Over Programs, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 13, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

A Step-By-Step Approach To Efficient Sermon Preparation

By Brandon Kelley on Jun 27, 2022

A Step-by-Step Approach to Efficient Sermon Preparation

Tags: Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

8 Ways To Bust Leadership Discouragement

By Charles Stone on Sep 28, 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 Preaching Questions With Matt Chandler

By Colin Adams on Jan 30, 2025

Matt Chandler reflects on preaching, preparation, personal pitfalls, and developing future preachers. His insights offer clear, practical guidance for faithful ministry.

Scripture: Mark 1:39

Tags: preparation, Adam, Guilt Offering, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership Development  (view more)  (view less)

Should You Preach On A Topic That Doesn't Stir Your Passions?

By Josh Reich on Jul 3, 2019

If a pastor isn’t careful, he will only preach on the things he finds important.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Dear Preacher: Remind Us Of The Mercy

By John Blase on Oct 25, 2021

John Blase writes an open letter to pastors everywhere asking for one consistent theme.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What It Really Means To Preach Grace

By Dr. Richard Ganz on May 3, 2025

How a chance encounter changed one pastor's preaching forever, all because of a misunderstanding.

Tags: Evangelism, Scripture, Arrogance, Share, unbeliever, evangelism, Unbeliever  (view more)  (view less)

Why Don't More Seminaries Teach A Method For Building A Sermon?

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 17, 2021

Listen to this professor of homiletics discuss what's been left undone in most pastors' education.

Scripture: John 4:34-38

Tags: preaching, Preaching, Seminary, build, dennis prutow  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: 3 Vital Reasons To Tell Stories In Your Preaching

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 11, 2025

There are a thousand reasons for dropping the occasional story into your sermon, pastor. Here are the top three.

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

Tags: Preaching, storytelling, stories, preaching

Preaching Through Cultural Chaos

By Mark Dance on Oct 8, 2025

Mark Dance: “Pastors do not need to be pushy, but neither do we need to be pushovers.”

Tags: Preaching, preaching

11 Reasons To Protect Your Spirit From The Demands Of Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 8, 2021

Pastoral ministry can be hazardous to our spiritual health. But it doesn’t need to be.

Tags: Preaching

Energizing Your Sermons With Multisensory Preaching

By Rick Blackwood on Jun 2, 2020

Rick Blackwood helps preachers communicate God's Word in a form that is engaging, crystal clear, unforgettable, and more fun for the speaker.

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, pastor, wake up, Cohabitation, adult children, Communication General, God's dwelling place, Pastor, illustration, Clarity, time is at hand, Homiletics, Awake, Dress Properly  (view more)  (view less)

5 Spouse Killers In The Ministry

By Charles Stone on Aug 21, 2025

Eight in ten pastors’ wives say they feel unappreciated or unaccepted by their husband’s congregations. Charles Stone and his wife give insight into how to protect your spouse and your marriage during the sometimes difficult calling of pastoral ministry.

Tags: Ministry, stress, Marriage, wife, family, Stress, Trials and Difficulties, ministry, relationships, priorities, home, Spouse, Church Body of Christ, Marriage General  (view more)  (view less)