In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Communication"

Bigger Is Not Necessarily Better: 3 Reasons I'm Convinced God Most Often Builds His Church Small

By Chris Surber on Jun 30, 2025

God uses big churches for certain Kingdom jobs, and God uses little churches for specific assignments.

Scripture: Matthew 18:20-21

Tags: Ministry, Community, Kingdom, Small Church, big versus small, community, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

6 Guidelines For Preaching To Postmoderns

By Rich Nathan on Jun 3, 2021

The message may be timeless, but the way we communicate must be flexible while remaining true to the biblical view.

Tags: Message, Preaching, communicate, postmodern

When Is A Sermon Good Enough?

By Stephen Gregory on Jul 15, 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, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Senior Pastor: Friend Or Foe

By Josh Griffin on Sep 13, 2024

Veteran youth director Josh Griffin gives seasoned advice to senior pastors on developing their relationship with their youth ministry leader.

Tags: Youth, leadership, staff, Pastors, pastoral care, student, Youth Ministry, church leadership, Leadership, Church Leadership, Senior Pastor, Staff Relationships, Pastoral Care  (view more)  (view less)

Reasonable Compensation For Pastors And Ministers

By Thomas J. Winters on Jan 9, 2025

Pastoral compensation must be fair, transparent, and compliant with IRS standards. This guide explains how churches determine reasonable pay and avoid excess benefit violations.

Tags: Money, Leader, Budget, pastor, finances, practice, Speculation, Church Practices, Leadership General, Church Governance, Pastor, leader, Pastoral Compensation, IRS Compliance, Nonprofit Accountability, Minister Pay  (view more)  (view less)

57 Leadership Tips For Pastors

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 21, 2025

Joe McKeever distills decades of pastoral wisdom into fifty-seven clear, practical leadership lessons that help pastors lead with integrity, courage, humility, and spiritual focus.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-12

Tags: Ministry, leadership, Preaching, Delegate, spiritual formation, Leadership, ministry, preaching, Spiritual Formation  (view more)  (view less)

The Hidden Struggles Of The Introverted Pastor

By Ron Edmondson on May 29, 2020

Introverted pastors often face misunderstandings, exhaustion, and hidden stress. Naming these struggles helps leaders guard their souls and shepherd with wisdom.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Mark 6:31, Philippians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Ecclesiastes 4:9  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: self awareness, Self Awareness

10 Traits Of Joyful Pastors

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 4, 2025

Follow the example of these leaders. You'll find joy in the midst of the hard work and long hours of pastoral ministry.

Tags: Leader, Joy, Preaching, preach, preaching, leader  (view more)  (view less)

When People Compare Pastors

By Charles Stone on Mar 26, 2021

Many pastors secretly struggle with measuring up to very successful pastors and churches. It’s tough, but it comes with ministry. People compare pastors. In this post I suggest a few ways to deal with this “measure up mentality.” I begin with one pastor’s experience.

Scripture: Psalm 62:5

Tags: Discouragement, Approval, Comparison, High expectations

Only One Perfect Pastor

By Taelor Gray on Apr 30, 2021

Growing up in church, I used to think of pastors as heroic, super-powered leaders who were almost like enhanced human beings. For me, they were moral superiors operating beyond the scope of failure and “common” struggle.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27, Galatians 2:11-14, Acts 20:17-38, 2 Corinthians 12:9

Tags: pastor, humanity, Imperfection, Pastoral Character, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

How To Pastor An Evangelistic Church

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 23, 2021

Pastors, do you know what an"evangelistic church" looks like? Are you even taking the time to share the gospel?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:10, 1 Corinthians 11:1

Tags: Evangelism, leadership, challenge, Sharing Your Faith, Setting an example, evangelism, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Light-Hearted Pastor Is An Oxymoron

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 26, 2022

To expect to carry the message without feeling the weight is asking a little much.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:28

Tags: pressure, Human Weakness, bearing burdens, Pastoral Ministry

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 23, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

How To Enjoy Christmas As A Pastor

By Lance Witt on Dec 18, 2024

About 3 years ago, it was the very end of December and I was not in a good place. I was frustrated and honestly I was mad at myself. Our schedule had been out of control and I was worn out.

Scripture: Luke 2:17-19, Luke 2:8

Tags: Mary, Christmas, pastoral leadership, Time of Reflection

A Word To The Small Town Pastor

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 7, 2022

Sometimes people don’t know how well they are doing.

Tags: Perspective, Pastors, Small Church, Pastoral Ministry, perspective  (view more)  (view less)