In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Life"

The Lord’s Prayer, A Missional Reading: Give Us Daily Bread

By Dr. Nijay Gupta on Apr 8, 2021

The “missional theology” movement has injected energy and life into the church. Who isn’t inspired when reading Emil Brunner’s famous words, “The church exists by mission as a fire exists by burning”? Missional theology has motivated many Christians and churches to seek out their purpose in God of bearing and embodying the good news of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20, Exodus 16:1-36, John 6:1-71, Matthew 4:1-25

Tags: Humility, Lord's Prayer, Missional, walk by faith

The Curse Of Competition

By Lance Witt on Mar 26, 2021

Here is what I know to be true about competitiveness in my own life. It usually has to do with Outward Validation vs. Inward Validation. If I am honest, a spirit of competition and comparison has to do with me and my need to feel significant and successful. My own insecurity drives me to posture and protect. It drives me to compare and compete.

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Preaching Hell In A Tolerant Age

By Tim Keller on Dec 10, 2022

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.

Scripture: Revelation 20:15, Genesis 3:4-5

Tags: Hell, Tolerance, Satan, Preaching, universalism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Tim Keller: Preaching Hell In A Tolerant Age

By Tim Keller on Nov 27, 2018

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.

Scripture: Acts 20:27-28

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

7 Strong Helps On Staying Married While Staying In Ministry

By Bob Hostetler on Jan 8, 2020

Pastor Bob Hostetler hasn't just survived the challenges that come with being married while in ministry; he lists his marriage as a major ministry success. How does that happen?

Tags: Ministry, Marriage

The Crash We've All Experienced: Recovering From Preaching

By Josh Reich on Sep 28, 2019

The crash a pastor experiences the day after preaching can be brutal. Your whole body aches, your eyes hurt, you feel as low as you have felt all week.

Tags: Preaching

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

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)

Top 13 Preaching Mistakes

By Bob Hostetler on Jul 24, 2019

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, Never Stop Learning, preaching, teaching, Preaching, hard work, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, Powerful Preaching, effective preaching  (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: preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching, Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel  (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: pastoral leadership, speak truth in love, Slow to speak, church leadership, Guard your tongue, honor, SALT AND LIGHT, Encourage Others  (view more)  (view less)

12 Reasons Why Church Leaders Don’t Delegate

By Chuck Lawless on Feb 3, 2021

It's an all-too-familiar scene: a pastor who burns out while doing things that a member of his congregation could have helped with. Here are twelve of the worst reasons not to delegate.

Tags: Preaching, idolatry, energy, Bad leadership, delegated authority  (view more)  (view less)