In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Life"

Brokenness In A Pastor’s Life

By Charles Stone on Jun 29, 2023

As I enter the sixth decade of my life and reflect over the brokenness I’ve faced as a pastor, I’m beginning to see its great value. It still hurts and I’d prefer not to face it. Yet, I’m experiencing the fruit of brokenness: inner peace, joy, and a purpose that supersedes ‘ministry success.’

Scripture: John 12:24

Tags: Healing, Rejection, brokenness, success in ministry

Letter To A (Real Life) Hurting Pastor

By Chris Surber on Apr 26, 2025

Author Chris Surber suggests six avenues to handle the hurt and disappointment so common in pastoral ministry.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Do Not Forsake True Solitude, Pastor

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 11, 2022

I am talking about purposely removing yourself from the busyness to focus on prayer for your congregation, reflection on your spiritual life and those around you, and meditation on the huge weight that is the pastoral ministry.

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Tags: prayer life, Prayer Life, Solitude, Silence, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

8 Preachable Marks Of A Transformed Life

By Philip Nation on Jan 9, 2025

Spiritual transformation is God’s work in believers, shaping them into Christ’s image. These eight biblical marks help pastors guide their people toward genuine gospel change.

Scripture: Galatians 4:19, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1-2

Tags: Church, Discipleship, Preaching, pastor, Transformation, transformed life, Pastor, preaching, church, Transformed Life  (view more)  (view less)

9 Stupid Things I Did As A Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 11, 2020

Does your misery love company? Come sit next to Thom Rainer a while.

Tags: Preaching, worry, pastor, neglect, Criticism, Prayer Life, Pastor, prayer life, criticism, Worry, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You A Pastor Stuck On Hurry?

By Charles Stone on Nov 26, 2019

Hurry is an enemy of learning. Leaders are always looking ahead for the next hill to climb. But sometimes we must pause and make ourselves fully present in the moment so we don't miss God's subtle, but important lessons.

Tags: Hectic Pace, Life Lessons, God's Timing, life lessons, God's timing, hurry, slow down, Hurry, Slow down, Learning  (view more)  (view less)

9 Hidden Factors That Impact Your Life And Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 10, 2024

"What hidden factors threaten to make or break you as a leader and as a person?"

Tags: pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Leadership, Growth, leadership, sleep, productivity, Rest  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Shouldn't Read Anonymous Notes

By David Whiting on Dec 24, 2021

Pastors and church leaders often receive anonymous comments, mysteriously appearing in the church office,the offering plate, or the “comments” section of the Sunday communication card.A few years ago, I stopped reading them. They don’t even get passed onto me. Asa church leader, I recommend that you do the same thing.

Tags: leadership, Boundaries, ignore, influences in life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

One Dozen Liberating Life Lessons That Give Pastors Rest For Their Souls

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 28, 2019

We are loaded down with so many "shoulds," we find ourselves paralyzed by the inability to apply what we know.

Tags: Rest, Soul, Preaching, life lessons

4 Weapons Of Mass Distraction In A Leader’s Life

By Charles Stone on Nov 13, 2023

Ask yourself which of these four weapons of mass distraction divert you the most from leading at your best.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: church ministry, Effective Leadership, Leading Others Well, Leadership, leadership, focus, distractions, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Adjusting To Reality: Loss And The Christian Life

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 4, 2020

Earlier this year, author and pastor Joe McKeever lost his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Margaret. In this moving article, he reflects on what it means to "adjust" to the new reality--and how faith requires an adjustment, as well.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:14-17

Tags: death in Christ

Preaching For Life-Change

By Rick Long on Mar 31, 2025

MacArthur warns against shallow preaching, but Scripture allows diverse methods. Faithful preaching aims at transformed lives, not uniform styles.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 8:29, James 1:22, Ephesians 4:11-16

Tags: Church Discipleship

A Life Well Lived

By Lance Witt on Sep 19, 2023

No matter what has happened in the past or what your ministry situation is today, you can have a rich, meaningful life.

Scripture: Matthew 25:21

Tags: vision, gratitude, Legacy, Godly Legacy

Seven Relational Skills Of Great Church Leaders

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 12, 2021

Most pastors and church leaders have never received formal training in relational skills. Perhaps these seven observations of outstanding leaders will prove helpful to many of you.

Tags: leadership, Prayer Life, Family Relationships, prayer life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

1,000 Sermons Will Change Your Life

By Trevin Wax on Mar 26, 2020

Pastors, don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of your preaching. You are not dumping information into brains. You are forming the habits of your people, teaching them how to read and understand and apply the Bible for themselves.

Tags: New life, church leadership, Church Leadership