In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Formation"

Making The Move To Noteless Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 7, 2021

Preachers can move from full manuscripts to notes or even no notes by simplifying structure, relying more on the text, and practicing intentional oral delivery.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Overcoming Blind Spots In The Pulpit

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 22, 2020

Every preacher gravitates toward familiar themes. Identifying and addressing pulpit blind spots helps congregations grow into spiritual maturity and biblical balance.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 4:13-15, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Growth, Pastoral Ministry

Why The Clarity Of Scripture Deserves More Attention

By Peter Mead on Aug 7, 2021

The church rightly affirms the authority of Scripture but often neglects its clarity. Preaching should strengthen confidence in God’s Word, not undermine it.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7, Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Embrace The 5 Types Of Church Visitor

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 7, 2020

Not all church visitors come for the same reasons. Understanding why people visit can help churches respond wisely and increase the likelihood they return.

Scripture: Romans 15:7, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: guest, Hospitality, Pastoral Ministry

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching The Prophets

By Peter Mead on Sep 10, 2024

The prophets are bold, unsettling, and hope-filled. Preaching from them brings clarity, urgency, and relevance to a church living in familiar spiritual conditions.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 53:1-6, Daniel 1:1-7, Habakkuk 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Preach So They Feel It: Beyond Information Transfer

By Peter Mead on Oct 8, 2020

Great preaching is not about cramming in more content but about helping people feel the truth of Scripture. Here’s how to move from dense information to transformative proclamation.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Luke 24:32, Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 23:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Message, develop, Pastoral Ministry

Why I Hate The Word Balance

By Lance Witt on May 30, 2023

A life of balance has always seemed like a “pipe dream”, something that just wasn’t realistic or attainable. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment of balance in my entire life. I can’t think of a single moment when every area of my life and ministry were “spinning” smoothly.

Scripture: Mark 10:46

Tags: Pastors, rhythm, emotional health

How To Be Thankful As A Leader

By Josh Reich on Jul 10, 2023

Most of the time on blogs like mine or other leadership and ministry blogs you read about how tough ministry is, how difficult people can be and how hard it is to be a leader. All those things are true.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Psalm 103:1-5

Tags: Marriage, Thankfulness, gratitude, Pastors

Why I Love To Preach

By Joseph M. Stowell on Nov 25, 2021

Preaching is a strange mix of joy, agony, insecurity, and calling; this article explores why pastors keep returning to the pulpit and how God uses their weakness.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Timothy 4:1-2, Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, Palm Sunday, Homiletics, Disciplines General, Pastor, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Saying: I Don't Know

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 6, 2020

In preaching, politics, and pastoral care, wisdom is often found not in having answers, but in knowing when silence and humility honor God most.

Scripture: John 11:32-35, Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36, Job 38:1-4, James 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, leadership, Preaching, counsel, pastoral care, Leadership, communication, preaching, Pastoral Care  (view more)  (view less)

How To Survive The Monday Preaching Hangover

By Brian Croft on Jan 6, 2026

Mondays are tough for pastors after preaching. Learn four practical ways to recover from the “preaching hangover” and start your week with clarity and grace.

Tags: Pastoral Self Care, Preaching Recovery, Ministry Burnout, Weekly Rhythms, Encouragement for Pastors  (view more)  (view less)

5 Signs That You Need To Quit Something

By Charles Stone on Nov 29, 2023

Quitters never win and winners never quit was drilled into my mind at an early age. I believed it. I practiced it. I lived it. I only quit one thing in my life before age 18, my high school football team. I quit because I sat on the bench 99.976% of the time. Since, then, however, I’ve questioned the veracity of that phrase, as catchy as it may sound.

Tags: strategy, Overwhelmed, Busyness, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, giving up, quitting, Saying no  (view more)  (view less)

One Thing Sets Elders Apart

By David Mathis on Oct 7, 2022

What does the Bible teach about the role and qualifications of elders?

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11, Hebrews 13:7, Titus 2:7-8, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Hebrews 5:12-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching, elder, Eldership, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, elders, Elder Qualification, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Would You Rather Hear *good Sermon, Pastor* Or *you Just Destroyed My World*?

By David Fitch on Feb 4, 2023

There's a difference between safe, enjoyable preaching and challenging the listener. How do you divide the two?

Tags: Devil, Preaching, Safe, challenge, listener, enjoyable, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

A Pastor's Dilemma: What To Do When You Can't See The Vision For Your Church

By Karl Vaters on May 13, 2022

Not every pastor is called to cast a grand, singular vision for their congregation.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: vision, pastoral leadership, Great Commandment, Vision Casting