In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Character"

The 5 Most Dangerous Assumptions In Preaching

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Feb 16, 2024

False assumptions in preaching hinder communication and weaken impact. Clear thinking, clarity, and humility protect the preacher and strengthen the message.

Scripture: John 15:5

Tags: Church, Communication, Humility, Preaching, pastor, care, assumptions, Communication General, Pastor, communication, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

Top 10 Healthy Ways To Handle The Church Critic

By Charles Stone on Aug 17, 2022

“Two things you can’t avoid in ministry are…people late to the service and … church critics.” In this short post, I suggest 10 ways to handle the church critic.

Tags: Criticism, patience, offense, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, loving enemies, Disarming, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

Success Is Never About Defeating The Giants

By Brandon Cox on Nov 27, 2023

Success isn’t about beating giants. It’s about building a life that grows through trials and challenges.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Tags: success, goals, achievement, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, success in ministry, Facing Giants, church ministry  (view more)  (view less)

The Top 8 Reasons Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 26, 2023

Why is it that most churches never break the 200 attendance mark?

Tags: Church Growth, Barriers, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Barriers to Growth, Growth Strategy  (view more)  (view less)

7 Indicators Your Team Is Dysfunctional

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 11, 2022

In my experience, there are commonalities of dysfunction. If you have been on a dysfunctional team you’ve probably seen one or more of the common traits. See if any of these seem familiar.

Tags: leadership, conflict, Teamwork, Dysfunction, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Team Dynamics, Healthy Teams, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 2

By Lance Witt on May 17, 2024

"In ministry, there are certain tensions that we must live with. Sometimes they seem contradictory, but they are tensions that are actually healthy for us."

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-8, Psalm 27:4, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: leadership, Balance, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Healthy Ministry, Tensions in Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Screenwriting As Sermon Preparation

By Jeff Chaves on Apr 25, 2024

Expand your sermon prep and presentation skills through the art of screenwriting.

Tags: Teaching, pastor, Presentation, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, teaching, presentation, Sermon prep, screenwriting  (view more)  (view less)

When Is A Sermon Good Enough?

By Stephen Gregory on Jul 16, 2024

A pastor wrestles with preparation, expectations, and perfectionism, discovering how God uses imperfect sermons when the preacher is faithful, honest, and attentive to the flock.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, spiritual growth, Communication General, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 4, 2025

A call to reject mind–spirit false dichotomies, embrace biblical thinking, and pursue a humble, renewed mind that deepens spiritual formation and love for God.

Scripture: Luke 10:27, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thought, Humility, Preaching, pastor, devotion, original sin, Mind, Christian Disciplines, Christian Leadership, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Boost Your Preaching Creativity

By Brandon Kelley on Jul 4, 2022

Do you want more people to walk away from the church gathering and actually remember the big idea from your sermon? Of course you do. Who wouldn’t?

Scripture: John 3:36, Matthew 15:21

Tags: Preaching, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, poor preaching, Effective Teaching, Sermon Help, Teaching Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Has Your Emotional Brain Hijacked Your Leadership?

By Charles Stone on Dec 1, 2023

Great ministry leaders keep their emotions in check. Unfortunately, when we don’t keep them in check, our emotional brain can hijack clear thinking and good leadership.

Scripture: Romans 10:10

Tags: Emotions, leadership, Brain, memory, Decision making, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership, brain  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Preachers Never Say

By Peter Mead on May 7, 2024

Preachers speak, but we don’t talk about everything. If you are a preacher you may read this series and find some encouragement that you are not alone. If you know a preacher you may read this and find some understanding that you did not have before.

Tags: stress, Stress, Overwhelmed, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, expectations, church leadership, Ministry Pressure  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Deadly Statements Of Church Members

By Thom Rainer on Oct 13, 2022

"Words have meaning. And if church members start articulating words consistently, those words begin to reflect the priorities and passions of the church."

Tags: conflict, relationships, Church worship, pastoral leadership, church membership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding  (view more)  (view less)

5 Mistakes Most Preachers Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 2, 2022

"So maybe you’re a preacher, or you listen to preachers (or stopped listening to preachers). Almost everyone has a perspective on what makes or doesn’t make for a great sermon."

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Simplicity, effective, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, preaching Christ, Effective Teaching, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Make A Graceful Exit And Leave Your Church Well

By Charles Stone on May 28, 2024

"Unless you stay at the same church your entire life, you will leave one ministry or church and go to another, perhaps several times. I’ve learned that leaving is more of an art and is often difficult. Here are 7 insights I’ve learned that have helped me make a graceful exit."

Scripture: Acts 24:16, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:15, Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 22:1, 1 Kings 1:27, Acts 20:35-38  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Moving Forward, Integrity, pastoral leadership, let go, overcome bitterness, Transitions, church leadership, Pastoral Transition  (view more)  (view less)