In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Character"

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Whether we are a critic or a lover of the church — or for some of us, both — it's important to remain balanced.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept  (view more)  (view less)

Death To Dancing Bears

By Lance Witt on May 31, 2022

“Sometimes as a worship pastor,” he said, “I feel like a dancing bear. It’s my job to get up and perform for the crowd, and as long as the performance is good, everyone is happy. Except me. Something is missing and I don’t know what to do.”

Tags: Ministry, burnout, pastoral leadership, Lost Focus, People Over Programs, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 13, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

A Step-By-Step Approach To Efficient Sermon Preparation

By Brandon Kelley on Jun 27, 2022

A Step-by-Step Approach to Efficient Sermon Preparation

Tags: Preaching, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Spouse Killers In The Ministry

By Charles Stone on Aug 21, 2025

Eight in ten pastors’ wives say they feel unappreciated or unaccepted by their husband’s congregations. Charles Stone and his wife give insight into how to protect your spouse and your marriage during the sometimes difficult calling of pastoral ministry.

Tags: Ministry, stress, Marriage, wife, family, Stress, Trials and Difficulties, ministry, relationships, priorities, home, Spouse, Church Body of Christ, Marriage General  (view more)  (view less)

The Radical Experiment: One Year To A Church Turned Upside Down

By David Platt on Jan 14, 2025

David Platt dares pastors and their congregations to take a leap of faith and test the claims contained in the gospel.

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Tags: Faith, Outreach, Gospel, Missions, Prayer, radical, Evangelism Urgency, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

How To Get Out Of A Ministry Funk

By Tim Stevens on Apr 9, 2020

Tim Stevens offers encouragement and practical advice to pastors going through a tough ministry funk.

Scripture: Galatians 6:9

Tags: Ministry, Church, Church Practices, ministry, church  (view more)  (view less)

Most Preachers Say No To Endorsing Candidates

By Carol Pipes on Mar 18, 2024

According to LifeWay research, the vast majority of pastors stay away from this sensitive area.

Tags: Politics, election, candidate

Seven Preaching Topics You Should Repeat Often

By Joe Mckeever on May 23, 2025

Don't be afraid of repeating yourself. Repetition is the mother of learning -- and sometimes a pastor's best friend.

Tags: Faith, Power, Preaching, work, repeat, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Indispensable Preaching Truths

By Tim Spivey on Aug 26, 2019

Pastor Tim Spivey shares field-tested truths preachers need to know for effective ministry.

Tags: Ministry, Truth, Preaching, effective, ministry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

It's Not A Sin To Enjoy The Preaching!

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 30, 2023

Pastor Jim Somerville wonders where people got the idea that sermons shouldn't be enjoyable.

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: preaching, enjoy, Sin, Preaching, jim somerville  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Problem Really A Lack Of Deep Teaching?

By Eric Geiger on Jul 30, 2021

For a pastor who longs to faithfully feed people the Word of God, there are few statements that sting as deeply.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Tags: problem, deep teaching, preaching, Preaching, Lack  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach A Funeral For God's Glory

By Harry Reeder on Jun 21, 2025

Here's why one seasoned pastor considers preaching a funeral one of his greatest privileges.

Tags: Preaching, Funeral, privilege, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Tricks To Break Out Of Your Preaching Rut

By Ryan Huguley on Aug 5, 2025

Periodically, every pastor to whom God gives the privilege of preaching weekly will find themselves in a rut.

Tags: Preaching, teach, Retreat, trick, Preaching Rut, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Multi-Site Video Preaching Friend Or Foe To Missional Churches?

By David Fitch on Jan 28, 2020

Veteran Pastor David Fitch believes in preaching. He also believes in the power of personal presence.

Tags: Preaching, preaching