In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Life"

7 Danger Signs Of A Discouraged Preacher

By Peter Mead on Nov 3, 2025

Perhaps this list can also help you pray for other preachers, or pastors in your church.

Scripture: Joshua 3:1-6

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What A Seminary Degree Will Not Do

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 22, 2023

“I have all this education and training. Why won’t churches call me as pastor?”

Tags: Angry with God, education, Seminary, Christian Education, calling, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, training  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When The News Intrudes

By Eric Reed on Jan 6, 2025

Pastors must navigate public tragedy with discernment, comforting emotions, anchoring people in Scripture, and knowing when to speak and when to wait for true clarity.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Culture, Difficulties, disaster, media, Biblical wisdom, sermon preparation, Pastoral Leadership, Crisis Preaching, Cultural Discernment, Biblical Wisdom, pastoral leadership, Trials, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, culture  (view more)  (view less)

The Hottest Thing At Church Today

By Tim Challies on Jul 19, 2022

According to a new study by Gallup, the hottest thing at church today is not the worship and not the pastor. So what is it?

Scripture: Romans 10:17

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Church Growth, Expository, Biblical truth, Teaching God's Word, BIBLICAL TEACHING, preaching, teaching, expository  (view more)  (view less)

Why You Should Share The Preaching Load

By Outreach Magazine on Apr 7, 2025

Busy teaching pastors need time away from the pulpit to study, pray, rest, and refocus on the goal.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:15-25

Tags: Plan, Preaching, pulpit, preaching

10 Easter Sermon Ideas

By Shawn Clark on Mar 31, 2020

Making the Easter story sound fresh and new might be a burden for some pastors. Here's some help.

Tags: Idea, Easter, Preaching, Easter Resurrection, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Derwin Gray: I Prepare My Sermons By Dancing

By Derwin Gray on Dec 16, 2020

Are your dance moves timeless or hopelessly out of date? Pastor Derwin Gray has five suggestions.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:17-24

Tags: Preaching, dance, teach, preaching

Have You Preached The Five Blessings That Flow From Thanksgiving?

By J. John on Nov 28, 2025

A British pastor reminds us, "Thanksgiving is more than an American holiday; it's a Godly holiday, as well."

Scripture: Matthew 25:26-27, Titus 2:1-10

Tags: five blessings, preaching, Thanksgiving, Preaching, gratitude, focus  (view more)  (view less)

4 Secret Fears We Have About Preaching On Tithing

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 15, 2025

Pastor, even if people get it wrong, don’t let that stop you from doing it right.

Scripture: Matthew 6:20, Malachi 3:8, Jude 1:1-25

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How To Build A Healthy Elder Team

By Josh Reich on Apr 25, 2022

If there is one thing pastors know well, it is the pain that can stem from a poorly run elder team.

Tags: Eldership, Elders Church, elders, Elder Qualification

4 Ingredients For Making Sermons Stick

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 25, 2020

Preaching still steers the church, but distracted people need more than lectures. Learn four research backed ways to help your sermons truly stick.

Tags: Preaching, Church Practices, Pastoral Ministry, preaching, church communication, Church Communication, Sermon Engagement  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Have To Be Perfect To Preach?

By Dean Shriver on Feb 10, 2025

True preaching power comes not from technique but from integrity. When our lives align with the truth we proclaim, God uses both our words and our example to change lives.

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, Pastoral Integrity, Christian Leadership, preaching, Spiritual Formation, Expository Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Some Things I Have Learned About Leadership–and Have The Scars To Prove

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 18, 2022

To serve people “for Jesus’ sake” means we ask Him how to serve them.

Scripture: Matthew 25:21-23, Romans 13:7, Luke 12:48, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Luke 22:27, Mark 10:43-44  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility and Pride, Leadership, leadership, serve others, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, servant leadership  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways Great Leaders Handle Tough Circumstances Differently

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 8, 2023

If you want to imitate the great leaders when you face challenging situations, do these three things.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:11, Psalm 62:5, Philippians 3:12

Tags: Tough Circumstances, Mindset, Leadership, leadership, success, Obstacles, opposition, pastoral leadership, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Preachers Never Say – Pt.2

By Peter Mead on May 8, 2024

This series looks at seven things preachers never say. Last time we thought about the burden of expectation. How about this for another: The negative outcomes of both criticism and apathy.

Tags: church ministry, Negative Response, Backbiting, criticism, Criticism, Apathy, Gossip, slander, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)