In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Formation"

When Passion Fades: 5 Reasons Preaching Becomes Lifeless

By Peter Mead on Aug 10, 2024

Passionless preaching drains a congregation. These five causes, from frozen delivery to cold hearts, reveal why sermons fall flat and how pastors can revive authentic zeal.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:6, Romans 12:11, Psalm 34:8, Colossians 3:23, Revelation 2:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Spiritual Renewal, preaching

4 Keys To Increasing Giving In Your Church

By Jim Morgan on Jul 17, 2023

Redefining members (not pastors and staff) as the “church” and the community (not members) as the “customer” would reverse the lens through which churches evaluate nearly every decision they make today.

Tags: Money, Giving, Generosity, Perspective, perspective  (view more)  (view less)

The 4 Most Overlooked Realities Of A Healthy Church Turnaround

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 13, 2022

Many pastors say “I want this church to turn around”, when what we really mean is “I want this church to get bigger.” Those are two different goals.

Tags: Church, church

How To Tell If A New Volunteer Is Truly A Leader (Or Simply A Doer)

By Carey Nieuwhof on May 10, 2024

"I recently surveyed 1400 small and mid-sized church pastors to find out what they struggle with most as their church grows. They overwhelmingly identified developing leaders as their top challenge."

Tags: leadership, Church Growth, Volunteer, church ministry, obstacles to growth, Barriers to Growth, Growing a Church, Leaders vs Doers, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Is The Body Of Christ In Trouble?

By Barry O. Johnson on Sep 12, 2024

Barry Johnson offers some helpful insights into the state of the Church in America, and offers a loving call for pastors to take bold steps of faith wherever God has planted them.

Tags: Gospel, Truth, Preaching, Body of Christ, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Jan 1, 2024

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

Sermon Feedback: 6 Questions For Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 20, 2024

Clear, simple sermon-feedback questions help preachers grow. These six practical prompts reveal clarity, engagement, biblical accuracy, and delivery strengths.

Scripture: Acts 8:25

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, experience, Improvement, evaluation, Homiletics, WORDS THAT KILL, Pastoral Ministry, Communication skills, improvement, criticism, preaching, Communication Skills  (view more)  (view less)

Top 13 Preaching Mistakes

By Bob Hostetler on Jan 13, 2025

A practical guide outlining 13 common preaching mistakes, with tips to avoid them and deliver sermons that are clear, Christ-centered, and spiritually nourishing.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, expository preaching, sermon preparation, Preaching Tips  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 30, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)

Keeping Your Preaching Fresh

By Lance Witt on Sep 24, 2022

“Everything worthwhile is uphill. Everything that is valuable, you have to work for. No one ever coasted their way to success. Most people have uphill hopes but have downhill habits.”

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, hard work, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, Powerful Preaching, effective preaching, Never Stop Learning, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Weaving Gospel Fluency Into Every Sunday Message

By Jeff Vanderstelt on Nov 21, 2022

If we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

Scripture: Luke 24:44-45

Tags: Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel, preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Always Choose The High Road (There’s Less Traffic)

By Jonathan Herron on Dec 7, 2022

Jesus said his disciples would be known by their radical love for one-another, (John 15:12).

Scripture: John 15:12

Tags: honor, SALT AND LIGHT, Encourage Others, pastoral leadership, speak truth in love, Slow to speak, church leadership, Guard your tongue  (view more)  (view less)

A Weekly Rhythm For Sermon Prep When You’re Bi-Vocational

By Todd Hiestand on May 18, 2020

A bi-vocational pastor can’t spend thirty hours a week on a sermon. Here’s a realistic weekly rhythm that keeps you rooted in Scripture while living normal life.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Colossians 3:16, Luke 24:32, James 1:22, Acts 6:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Bi Vocational Ministry

Tim Keller: Preaching Hell In A Tolerant Age

By Tim Keller on Jun 13, 2025

Many today reject the idea of final judgment and hell. Tim Keller advises pastors on how to deliver the very important biblical message to those who may not want to hear it.

Tags: Hell, Tolerance, Preaching, tim keller, preaching, Tim Keller  (view more)  (view less)

Staying Married Is Not About Staying In Love, Part 1

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 13, 2021

1 Timothy 3:2 records that "the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife . . .". This means that marriage is a crucial element for a pastor. But what happens when you drift apart?

Tags: Preaching, preaching