In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Calling"

Why I Hate The Word Balance

By Lance Witt on May 30, 2023

A life of balance has always seemed like a “pipe dream”, something that just wasn’t realistic or attainable. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment of balance in my entire life. I can’t think of a single moment when every area of my life and ministry were “spinning” smoothly.

Scripture: Mark 10:46

Tags: Pastors, rhythm, emotional health

How To Be Thankful As A Leader

By Josh Reich on Jul 10, 2023

Most of the time on blogs like mine or other leadership and ministry blogs you read about how tough ministry is, how difficult people can be and how hard it is to be a leader. All those things are true.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 103:1-5

Tags: Marriage, Thankfulness, gratitude, Pastors

The Power Of Saying: I Don't Know

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 6, 2020

In preaching, politics, and pastoral care, wisdom is often found not in having answers, but in knowing when silence and humility honor God most.

Scripture: John 11:32-35, Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36, Job 38:1-4, James 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, leadership, Preaching, counsel, pastoral care, Leadership, communication, preaching, Pastoral Care  (view more)  (view less)

How To Survive The Monday Preaching Hangover

By Brian Croft on Jan 6, 2026

Mondays are tough for pastors after preaching. Learn four practical ways to recover from the “preaching hangover” and start your week with clarity and grace.

Tags: Pastoral Self Care, Preaching Recovery, Ministry Burnout, Weekly Rhythms, Encouragement for Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

5 Signs That You Need To Quit Something

By Charles Stone on Nov 29, 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)

One Thing Sets Elders Apart

By David Mathis on Oct 7, 2022

What does the Bible teach about the role and qualifications of elders?

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11, Hebrews 13:7, Titus 2:7-8, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, elder, Eldership, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, elders, Elder Qualification, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Makes A Preacher

By Ben Mandrell on Jul 23, 2024

What makes a faithful preacher? Ben Mandrell offers a helpful list of six examples to encourage preachers to stay true to their calling.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, training, preaching

Preach To The Ignorant, The Doubtful, And Sinners

By Mark Dever on Sep 4, 2024

Biblical application is not optional in expository preaching. Faithful sermons address ignorance, doubt, and sin by informing, urging belief, and calling for obedience.

Scripture: Romans 10:11-17, Proverbs 23:12, Galatians 4:19, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Teaching Scripture, preaching

Doctrinal Sermons Must Connect To Human Experience

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 16, 2021

A sermon is more than a lecture about biblical facts. True preaching invites people into an encounter with God that calls for a real response.

Scripture: Romans 10:1-10, Acts 2:37, James 1:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Truth, Preaching, experience, doctrinal, human, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Preach A Grace That's Too Small?

By Ray Hollenbach on Nov 30, 2024

We've lined up the chairs in neat little rows and called it grace. We never noticed: it has broken free.

Scripture: Numbers 4:1-4

Tags: Grace, Preaching, King, Tyrant, too small, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Leading From Fear: So Many Churches Do It

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 23, 2021

It’s so easy for a preacher to exhibit fear and not faith when standing before the church and calling the congregation to faithfulness and righteousness.

Scripture: Mark 4:40, Luke 14:7-14

Tags: Faith, leadership, Faith and Fear, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Would You Rather Hear *good Sermon, Pastor* Or *you Just Destroyed My World*?

By David Fitch on Feb 4, 2023

There's a difference between safe, enjoyable preaching and challenging the listener. How do you divide the two?

Tags: Devil, Preaching, Safe, challenge, listener, enjoyable, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Prayed For Us: The Power Of The High Priestly Prayer

By David J. Lose on Sep 16, 2022

In John 17 Jesus prays for His disciples and for all future believers. This prayer reminds the church that we are loved, supported, and called to unity.

Scripture: John 17:6-26, John 14:26, Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25, Philippians 4:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Preaching, Prayer, Partner, high priestly prayer, preaching, High Priestly Prayer  (view more)  (view less)

4 Points Of Principle Preaching

By Chris Surber on Nov 12, 2025

"Can I call her up to the front on Sunday morning, have her sit in front of the congregation and use her sin as an example?”

Scripture: Psalm 128:1-2

Tags:

How To Stop Flirting With Sin

By Chad Ashby on Nov 14, 2022

Brothers and sisters, “As long as it is called ‘today,’ [be sure] that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin!” (Hebrews 3:13)

Scripture: Judges 16:1-31, Matthew 5:29, Judges 16:4-5, Matthew 7:13, 1 John 3:8, Hebrews 3:13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: God's Grace, Personal Growth, Know the Truth, Discipline, Abide in Christ, personal holiness, fighting ungodliness, fighting sin  (view more)  (view less)