In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Life"

Communicating With Confidence When People Distrust Pastors

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 20, 2024

This article is the fifth of six in a series on preaching in light of cultural shifts and biblical illiteracy.

Tags: preaching, teaching, holiness, Sermon prep, Preaching, pastor, Holiness, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

On The Shoulders Of Giants: Sermon Preparation Resources For Pastors

By Matthew Redder on Sep 10, 2025

In this article, we’ll explore how pastors work with others—both living and long gone—to craft sermon content. We’ll reflect on the value of community, the discipline of study, and the humility that comes when we realize that our sermons are enriched by the wisdom of many.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: biblical dictionary, sermoncentral, sermonmaker, sermon, Pastor, Sermon, preaching, sermonprep, commentary, Preaching, pastor, Commentary  (view more)  (view less)

Check The Mirror, Pastor – After Five Years, Your Church Looks Like You

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 27, 2021

Show me a spiritually healthy church and I’ll show you a spiritually healthy pastor. Show me a spiritually unhealthy church and I’ll show you a spiritually unhealthy pastor.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:7

Tags: Humility, pastor, spiritual leadership, Pastoral Character, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Good & Bad Cases Of Church Discipline

By Ray Hollenbach on Mar 11, 2025

A real church incident exposes why believers distrust discipline. Yet Scripture shows discipline is meant to heal, not harm, calling us to restore one another with Christ’s presence.

Tags: pastoral care, Pastoral Care

Seven Signs A Sermon Is (Almost) Over

By Jon Acuff on Oct 28, 2020

Jon Acuff has heard quite a few sermons in his day. Here's a handy guide for discerning when the end is near.

Tags: Preaching, pastor, End, Pastor

Church Members Don't Want A Hero, They Want A Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 12, 2021

Church members aren’t looking for super-pastors, they want basic pastoral competence, honesty and leadership. That’s what they ought to expect.

Tags: Preaching, pastor, Hero, Pastor

Better Ingredients, Better Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2020

Even slight shifts in tone, focus, or structure can distort a sermon’s flavor. Guard the gospel, preach the text, and let Scripture, not your outline, set the menu.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Romans 1:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Pastoral

The Power Of Saying: I Don't Know

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 6, 2020

As a pastor people often look to you for answers to life's questions, but you don't have to pretend you know it all--in fact, you really shouldn't.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, counsel

Unashamed Allegiance: My Tribute To R.c. Sproul

By John Piper on Nov 18, 2022

I love R.C. Sproul. I am sure I owe him more than I can even recall. My reverence for the holiness of God and the truth of his word would not be the same without his influence. I will miss him (for a short while).

Tags: Christ in Scripture, Teacher, Godly Life, preacher, teacher, treasure, Faithfulness, Tribute, Preacher, Godly example  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 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, Christian community, church leadership, Biblical wisdom, Church Leadership, Biblical Wisdom, Congregational Health  (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

The True Task Of Every Preacher

By Nathan Aaseng on Oct 17, 2020

Author Nathan Aaseng says, "Preaching is a terrible form of communication." Yet he discovered why preaching is the crown jewel of a pastor's existence.

Tags: Task, Communication, Preaching, pastor, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching: It's Not All About You

By Bruce D. Johnson on Oct 14, 2024

Over the past five decades, an insidious trend has crept into American preaching--and not only are most pastors unaware of it, they've embraced it!

Tags: pastor, Self, Pastor, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Listeners Really Wish They Could Tell Their Pastor

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 14, 2021

A speaker recalls blunt feedback from a child to show how honest listener frustrations can shape better preaching—especially length, self-focus, and dryness.

Scripture: John 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 9:16

Tags: Communication, leadership, Preaching, Church Health, Feedback, Leadership, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Pastors Don't Need To Know

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 3, 2024

Pastors often receive information they never needed. Protecting your ministry means refusing gossip, rumors, and private details that cause harm rather than help.

Tags: Gossip, Church Health, Christian Values