In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Courage"

Pastors, We Don’t Expect A Ted Talk—we Need A God-And-You Talk

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 27, 2021

When we come to your church, we don't expect a $7,500 sermon. Given current offering stats, most people aren't even expecting a $75 one.

Scripture: John 3:1-25, Matthew 6:25-34

Tags: Preaching, Heartfelt, Expectation, TED talk, preaching  (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)

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 3, 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 3, 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 Nov 30, 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 6, 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 12, 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 1, 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 27, 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)

Why Is It So Difficult To Lead A Church Through Change?

By Rob Pochek on Jul 9, 2025

Everyone says they want change, so what's the problem?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 9:3-6, Titus 3:1-5

Tags: Church, leadership, Change, Pastoring, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

Preachers, Find Your Voice

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 19, 2021

In the days of the church, a major way in which God’s word is revealed to his people is through the regular, ordinary, week-in, week-out ministry of local church pastor-preachers.

Tags: New, Preaching, voice, Pastoral, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Shrinking Population Of Preachers And What You Can Do About It

By Ben Mandrell on Sep 15, 2021

How one pastor did something more than wring his hands over the situation, and what he did about it.

Tags: Preaching, Pastors, population, shrinking, front lines  (view more)  (view less)

5 Qualities To Seek In The Heart Of A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jan 28, 2022

Someone asked me recently what I primarily look for in the hiring of a staff position. I said, without reservation, first and foremost, I look for the heart.

Tags: leadership, Integrity, Innovation, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Problems With Top-Down Vision Casting And A New Testament Alternative

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 6, 2022

Acts 2 does not give us a picture of Peter hearing from God in private, then coming to the disciples with the vision.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2, Proverbs 29:18, Acts 2:14

Tags: vision, empower, pastoral leadership, dreams and visions

When Church Members Insist On Their Rights.

By Joe Mckeever on Jun 23, 2022

“Consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest you also grow weary and lose heart,” (Hebrews 12:3).

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-44, Matthew 26:53, Hebrews 12:3, 1 Corinthians 6:7, Psalm 103:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, conflict, Pastoral Ministry, Example of Christ