In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Calling"

Generosity: 15 Sermon And Worship Resources

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 19, 2024

During the holiday season, as we count our blessings, encourage your church to live out the call to generosity with these sermon and worship resources.

Tags: Worship, Generosity, sermon, Sermon

Leadership And Church Size Dynamics

By Tim Keller on Jan 3, 2025

Tim Keller explores one of the most talked-about church issues: the relationship of size to church health and culture.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:9-11, Jeremiah 23:16, Colossians 2:8, Colossians 2:22, Matthew 22:29, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, Malachi 2:1-17, Isaiah 33:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, size, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

8 Preachable Marks Of A Transformed Life

By Philip Nation on Jan 9, 2025

Spiritual transformation is God’s work in believers, shaping them into Christ’s image. These eight biblical marks help pastors guide their people toward genuine gospel change.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Church, Discipleship, Preaching, pastor, Transformation, transformed life, Pastor, preaching, church, Transformed Life  (view more)  (view less)

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 11, 2025

Decades of research reveal five church-growth principles—disciple-making, relationships, felt-needs, transitions, and social networks—that help any church engage its community.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Leadership, Congregational Health  (view more)  (view less)

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 17, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the chance to sit down with a former staff member that had served on my team more than a decade ago. We really hadn’t kept in touch very much. At one point during our lunch the conversation turned more serious. And in a moment of candor he said to me “You know, you weren’t very easy to work for.” The truth is, he was right.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 2:11-13

Tags: Humility, leadership, Accountability, Rebuke, Teachable, pastoral leadership, unteachable spirit, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

9 Hidden Factors That Impact Your Life And Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 10, 2024

"What hidden factors threaten to make or break you as a leader and as a person?"

Tags: Growth, leadership, sleep, productivity, Rest, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why Ranting Does Not Equal Preaching

By Tony Merida on Sep 19, 2024

Tony Merida: "May God raise up a new generation of faithful, responsible expositors of Scripture who keep their finger on the text as they teach and preach."

Scripture: James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Tags: Preaching, Text, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

The Secret Ingredient Your Sermon Is Missing

By Erik Raymond on Dec 29, 2025

Sound exegesis and strong delivery are not enough. Preaching becomes powerful when the preacher is personally moved by the glory of Christ in the text.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:4, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 1:15-16, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 1:3-14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Worship, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Why We Avoid Political Preaching

By Daniel Darling on Mar 20, 2024

During election seasons, pressure mounts for pastors to speak politically. Here’s why Bible-believing shepherds center the pulpit on Scripture, not party platforms.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Psalm 139:13-16, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Politics, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

How To Discover Your True North Value

By Charles Stone on Apr 13, 2023

What are the core values that guide you as a leader?

Tags: leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Values, Leadership

Does Street Evangelism Really Work?

By Greg Stier on Jan 28, 2025

Street evangelism can spark genuine conversions yet fail at discipleship. This piece calls for a relational and relentless approach that multiplies disciples, not just decisions.

Tags: Salvation, making disciples, Making Disciples, Gospel Conversations

From Information To Transformation: Preaching That Changes Lives

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 16, 2020

Great preaching goes beyond inspiration and information. Transformative sermons call both preacher and congregation into present-tense obedience empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: John 10:10, 1 Corinthians 2:4, John 16:8, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

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

Forget Seminaries: What Are You Doing To Train The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Chris Surber on Aug 16, 2025

We have a lot of people genuinely called, sincerely gifted people who struggle to find their way past the gatekeepers in our churches and denominations.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Mark 5:24-34

Tags: Discipleship, Gift, Seminary, Next Generation

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

Small church growth stalls for reasons deeper than numbers. These ten barriers reveal why congregations stay stuck and how leaders can pursue renewed health and mission.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Church Health, Small Church, Church Practices, pastoral leadership, spiritual vitality, Pastor, church, Pastoral Leadership, Small Church Growth, Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Vitality  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors, We Don’t Expect A Ted Talk—we Need A God-And-You Talk

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 28, 2021

When we come to your church, we don't expect a $7,500 sermon. Given current offering stats, most people aren't even expecting a $75 one.

Scripture: John 3:1-25, Matthew 6:25-34

Tags: Preaching, Heartfelt, Expectation, TED talk, preaching  (view more)  (view less)