In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Calling"

What A Seminary Degree Will Not Do

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 22, 2023

“I have all this education and training. Why won’t churches call me as pastor?”

Tags: training, education, Seminary, Christian Education, calling, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Angry with God  (view more)  (view less)

A Pastor's Dilemma: What To Do When You Can't See The Vision For Your Church

By Karl Vaters on May 13, 2022

Not every pastor is called to cast a grand, singular vision for their congregation.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: vision, pastoral leadership, Great Commandment, Vision Casting

Why We Need To Seriously Reconsider The Idea Behind The Altar Call

By Jeff K. Clarke on Sep 15, 2025

We are so desperate to have people make a decision that we rarely, if ever, tell them about the costs associated with making that decision.

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, converts, altar call, costs, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Good & Bad Cases Of Church Discipline

By Ray Hollenbach on Mar 11, 2025

A real church incident exposes why believers distrust discipline. Yet Scripture shows discipline is meant to heal, not harm, calling us to restore one another with Christ’s presence.

Tags: pastoral care, Pastoral Care

Pastors Lead By Example

By Philip Holmes on May 4, 2021

“The reason elders are so necessary,” says Sanchez, “is because they are the means by which our sovereign king chooses to shepherd his church to display his kingdom on earth in local churches as embassies of heaven, and also to proclaim the message of the gospel, calling all people everywhere to repent and believe and enter into the kingdom. Elders shepherd the flock of God among them, under the chief Shepherd. That’s why elders are important, because it is our ascended Lord’s chosen means by which he shepherds his church.”

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5:1-2, Ephesians 4:1-32, Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, Acts 20:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teamwork, elders, authentic ministry, church leadership, e  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Should Preach More About Heaven

By Toni Ridgaway on May 5, 2023

Despite widespread curiosity about life after death, many churches rarely preach on heaven. Scripture calls pastors to teach clearly about the believer’s eternal hope.

Scripture: John 14:1-3, Philippians 3:20-21, Colossians 3:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Revelation 21:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Heaven, Truth, Preaching, eternal life, preaching, Eternal Life  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching God's Dangerous Truth

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jun 17, 2020

Preaching must resist political birthright-stealers and proclaim the dangerous truth that God has come. Advent calls us to vision, courage, and bold proclamation.

Scripture: Luke 2:10, Matthew 13:17, Matthew 10:7, Revelation 10:10-11, Micah 4:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preaching, pastoral courage, Pastoral Courage

Listen To Your Sermon Just Before You Preach

By Mark Mohler on Dec 4, 2024

Sermons are not made for paper--they're made for the human ear. Have you tried listening to yours?

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-2

Tags: Preaching, Listen, Creativity, call to action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Why Some Preachers Get Better And Others Don't

By Hershael York on Aug 13, 2025

What makes the difference between someone who grows in preaching versus someone who doesn't?

Tags: Preaching, passion, stagnant, Improve, calling, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Avoid The Wreck: 7 Ways To Crash A Sermon

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 24, 2025

What's the difference between a sermon that changes someone's life and one that no one can remember even as they drive out of the parking lot?

Tags: Preaching, Resistance, Ruin, call to action, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Missed Opportunity

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jul 28, 2023

I want to invite you to put yourself in the shoes of an unsaved person.

Tags: Evangelism, Salvation, opportunity, Call to salvation, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Great Leadership Often Starts With A Broken Heart

By Brandon Cox on Oct 2, 2023

Usually, knowing what breaks your heart is knowing what you should do with your life, and how you should be leading others.

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:4

Tags: broken, Brokenhearted, authentic ministry, Call to ministry

Shepherd God’s Flock: Our Job As Pastors

By Chris Pascarella on Sep 20, 2022

As pastors, we’re called to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:2). In fact, God holds us accountable for our shepherding (Hebrews 13:17). But what does it look like to shepherd?

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2

Tags: Shepherd, strategy, Eldership, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

Brokenness In A Pastor’s Life

By Charles Stone on Jun 29, 2023

As I enter the sixth decade of my life and reflect over the brokenness I’ve faced as a pastor, I’m beginning to see its great value. It still hurts and I’d prefer not to face it. Yet, I’m experiencing the fruit of brokenness: inner peace, joy, and a purpose that supersedes ‘ministry success.’

Scripture: John 12:24

Tags: Healing, Rejection, brokenness, success in ministry

Shepherd God’s Flock: Equipping God’s People

By Chris Pascarella on Nov 7, 2022

"According to Scripture, pastors are called to equip the flock to do the work of ministry!"

Scripture: Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: Called to serve, be the church, Church Body of Christ, pastoral leadership, equipped for service, Equipping Disciples, Equipping The Body, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)