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)

5 Ministry Killers Every Pastor’s Wife Faces

By Charles Stone on Aug 20, 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, relationships, priorities, home, Difficulties, pastoral care, Spouse, Church Body of Christ, Marriage General, church leadership, ministry, marriage support, Church Leadership, Pastoral Care, Ministry Health, Pastors Wife, Marriage Support  (view more)  (view less)

6 Ways The Gospel Should Shape A Pastor’s Leadership

By Brandon Kelley on Nov 16, 2022

A Pastor’s leadership must first and foremost be a response to Christ’s gospel.

Scripture: Acts 4:19, 1 Peter 3:12

Tags: Character, bible truth, Church leaders, Godly Leaders, Bible Truth, pastoral leadership, Praying, Gospel centered, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Are You An Itinerant Pastor?

By Nathan Rouse on Sep 25, 2020

This addiction to "new" is breaking churches and ruining the credibility of those who minister in the pulpit. We need pastors who won't leave; we need pastors who will cleave.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Timothy 4:5, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:9, Philippians 2:3-5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Itinerant, Attrition, Pastoral Ministry, preaching, Pulpit  (view more)  (view less)

The Pastor's Constant Temptation

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 6, 2021

Modern culture pushes people to chase significance and greatness, yet the gospel reminds believers they are small, dependent, and deeply loved by God.

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-8, Job 38:4, Psalm 8:3-4, Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, Matthew 18:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, temptation, pastor, humor, Arrogance, Pastor, preaching, Temptation  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor + Scholar = Preacher

By Philip Ryken on Sep 2, 2021

John Calvin, the great reformer, is an excellent model if you're looking to develop your preaching skills.

Scripture: Acts 27:13-26

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Scholar, john calvin, preaching skill, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors Lead By Example

By Philip Holmes on May 3, 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)

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)

Pulpit Humour: Five Pointers

By Peter Mead on Jul 22, 2022

5 Tips on how to avoid landmines when using humor in the pulpit.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, humor, Pastoral Ministry, Communication skills, Pulpit Helps, Humility in Teaching, e, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Oct 24, 2019

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem.

Scripture: Micah 7:1-15

Tags: Grace, Truth, Preaching, communicate, tone  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Kill Your Message!

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 11, 2025

What’s the difference between a sermon that flops and a sermon that people still buzz about years later?

Tags: Preaching, Lame, communicate, crash, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 15, 2020

Faithful preaching requires more than good communication. These five principles help pastors prepare sermons that are prayerful, Christ-centered, and life-changing.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24, Ezra 7:10, Luke 24:27, John 5:39-40, 2 Timothy 3:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching, Christ Centered Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 23, 2025

Healthy churches face problems with wisdom, unity, and Christlike leadership. These ten traits show how congregations grow stronger even through crises.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept, Christian community, church leadership, Biblical wisdom, Church Leadership, Biblical Wisdom, Congregational Health, Christian Community  (view more)  (view less)

5 Team-Killers In Church Leadership

By Matt Steen on Jul 8, 2020

Healthy church teams don’t fail overnight. These five leadership behaviors quietly erode trust, unity, and effectiveness long before visible conflict appears.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16, Proverbs 11:14, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-4, Romans 12:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Community, unity, Teamwork, team building, church leadership, community, Unity, Church Leadership, Team Building  (view more)  (view less)

A Key To Healthy Relationships

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2022

I think hospitality has the power to change the relationships we have. It is that powerful.

Tags: Community, Welcome, invite, Hospitality, Christian Love, serve others, Love One Another, Intentionality, community  (view more)  (view less)