In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Calling"

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 2

By Lance Witt on Dec 4, 2023

One of the reasons the word accountability gets a bad rap is because of the way some people have carried out accountability. Holding people accountable is not using your position as a club to embarrass, humiliate, mistreat, belittle or shame people. Our accountability of people should make those on our team better not bitter.

Scripture: Daniel 6:1

Tags: Humility, leadership, relationships, Accountability, Performance, Feedback, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Empowering Others, Effective Leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Important Ingredient For Rebuke

By Marshall Segal on Oct 31, 2022

"The recipe for good rebuke involves far more than one ingredient, but one ingredient may be the most important."

Tags: repentance, Word of God, brotherly love, patience, Christian Love, Biblical truth, pastoral leadership, rebuking sin, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

5 Marks Of A Mature Leader

By Brandon Cox on Jul 2, 2024

Your body’s physical maturity typically peaks in early adulthood, but your spiritual maturity will keep growing even into eternity.

Tags: Humble, godly character, Godly Leaders, Leadership Listening, Encourage Others, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Leadership Traits  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Try To Be Successful, Try To Do Good Work

By Karl Vaters on Jul 3, 2024

A minister with a well-nourished soul may or may not have a big church, but they’ll always have a healthy ministry.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-11, 1 Corinthians 4:2

Tags: leadership, Faithfulness, Good Works, pastoral leadership, success in ministry, church leadership, measuring success, serving faithfully, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Greatest Gift You Give Your Team- Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jul 10, 2024

This week work at paying attention to your soul. Listen to your emotions. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what is going on beneath the surface of all your “doing”.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1, John 16:32, John 16:32

Tags: Approval, Growth in Christ, pastoral leadership, God's Approval, Guarding your heart, motives, soul care, personal holiness  (view more)  (view less)

The Greatest Gift You Give Your Team- Part 2

By Lance Witt on Jul 14, 2024

Some of the qualities that people will applaud in your life are the very things that will wreck your soul.

Tags: sanctification, Personal Growth, pastoral care, Examine self, Time of Reflection, Guarding your heart, motives, soul care  (view more)  (view less)

How I Write A Sermon

By Bruce Frank on Aug 16, 2020

Bruce Frank, lead pastor of of Biltmore Baptist Church, one of the top 50 fastest-growing churches in America, shares his sermon prep process.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: Heart, Study, repent, circumcise, Sword, Reject  (view more)  (view less)

The Best Way To Avoid Ministry Burnout That You Keep Forgetting

By Eric Bryant on Aug 4, 2024

Exodus 18 exposes leadership myths that exhaust pastors and shows how shared leadership restores health, disciples others, and strengthens God’s people.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27, Numbers 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 1:9-13, Acts 6:1-7, 2 Timothy 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Team Development

The 4 Pillars Of Guest Preaching

By Pete Wilson on Jan 5, 2023

Guest speakers can bless churches or burden them. Here are practical ways to honor the pastor, respect the house, and communicate well without creating chaos.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40, Hebrews 13:17, Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Colossians 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Teaching, leadership, Preaching, Leadership, communication, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Rightly Dividing The Preaching Load

By Larry Osborne on Mar 18, 2025

Sharing the pulpit can strengthen a church, sustain its pastor, and deepen preaching impact by developing trusted co-preachers instead of a one-man show.

Scripture: Acts 20:28, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 1 Peter 5:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Sermon Preparation, sermon preparation

The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Two Popular Preaching Styles

By Brady Boyd on Apr 24, 2020

Brady Boyd: "I think both approaches have merit for the local church and it’s the job of the pastor to listen to what God is saying and obey."

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Biblical Interpretation

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 14, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching

4 Remedies For Discouragement In Your Preaching

By Erik Raymond on Apr 2, 2025

Pastors often feel ineffective, but Christ’s resurrection guarantees their preaching matters. Lift your eyes, pray, delight in grace, and keep proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Trust, Perseverance, Hope, Preaching, Discouragement, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Funerals: 6 Things We Should–and Shouldn't–do

By Jared Moore on Jun 22, 2020

Funeral preaching demands clarity, compassion, and gospel focus. These guidelines help pastors navigate what to emphasize and what to avoid when ministering at graveside moments.

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:12, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, Romans 6:23, John 14:6, Luke 16:27-31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Biblical wisdom, Biblical Wisdom

Thinking About Quitting? 9 Hope-Filled Reminders

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 24, 2024

Someone asked me if I ever considered quitting when I was a pastor. My response was quick and truthful: “Yes. On the average about once a week.”

Tags: Preaching, preaching