In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Ministry"

The Light-Hearted Pastor Is An Oxymoron

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 27, 2022

To expect to carry the message without feeling the weight is asking a little much.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:3, 2 Corinthians 11:28

Tags: pressure, Human Weakness, bearing burdens, Pastoral Ministry

A Word To The Small Town Pastor

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 8, 2022

Sometimes people don’t know how well they are doing.

Tags: Perspective, Pastors, Small Church, Pastoral Ministry, perspective  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor And Prophet

By Lance Witt on May 11, 2024

"When it comes to our preaching, we live in the constant tension between pastor and prophet. On one hand, as pastors we want to encourage and care for the sheep. So, in our preaching we want to be uplifting and hopeful. On the other hand, as prophets we must sometimes say the hard things that the sheep don’t want to hear."

Scripture: Jeremiah 5:30-31, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Pride, People pleasing, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, Pastoral Ministry, Pulpit Ministry, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Making The Move To Noteless Preaching

By Peter Mead on Jul 7, 2021

Preachers can move from full manuscripts to notes or even no notes by simplifying structure, relying more on the text, and practicing intentional oral delivery.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Overcoming Blind Spots In The Pulpit

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 22, 2020

Every preacher gravitates toward familiar themes. Identifying and addressing pulpit blind spots helps congregations grow into spiritual maturity and biblical balance.

Scripture: Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 4:13-15, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:28  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church Growth, Pastoral Ministry

Why The Clarity Of Scripture Deserves More Attention

By Peter Mead on Aug 7, 2021

The church rightly affirms the authority of Scripture but often neglects its clarity. Preaching should strengthen confidence in God’s Word, not undermine it.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7, Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Embrace The 5 Types Of Church Visitor

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 7, 2020

Not all church visitors come for the same reasons. Understanding why people visit can help churches respond wisely and increase the likelihood they return.

Scripture: Romans 15:7, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-47  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: guest, Hospitality, Pastoral Ministry

5 Reasons Why I Love Preaching The Prophets

By Peter Mead on Sep 10, 2024

The prophets are bold, unsettling, and hope-filled. Preaching from them brings clarity, urgency, and relevance to a church living in familiar spiritual conditions.

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah 40:1-5, Isaiah 53:1-6, Daniel 1:1-7, Habakkuk 1:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Preach So They Feel It: Beyond Information Transfer

By Peter Mead on Oct 8, 2020

Great preaching is not about cramming in more content but about helping people feel the truth of Scripture. Here’s how to move from dense information to transformative proclamation.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Luke 24:32, Hebrews 4:12, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 23:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Message, develop, Pastoral Ministry

Diagnosing Sheep

By Peter Mead on Apr 27, 2022

In pastoral ministry, there is a great need for the right diagnosis of sheep.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14, John 11:1-40

Tags: Prayer, Listen, Leadership Listening, Listening

Five Of The Hardest Challenges Pastors Face

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 10, 2020

Pastoral ministry carries unique pressures that few see. These five challenges reveal why shepherding God’s people requires grace, wisdom, and endurance.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7, Galatians 6:9, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:2-4, James 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: gentle, Pastor Care

Re-Imagining Leadership

By Dan White Jr. on Oct 3, 2024

What does it really mean to grow in Christian leadership?

Tags: leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 2

By Lance Witt on May 17, 2024

"In ministry, there are certain tensions that we must live with. Sometimes they seem contradictory, but they are tensions that are actually healthy for us."

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-8, Psalm 27:4, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Tags: leadership, Balance, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Healthy Ministry, Tensions in Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Disciplines Of A Godly Pastor

By Dr. R. Kent Hughes on Jul 9, 2022

Our ultimate trust is always in God's persevering grace, nevertheless, we are called to cultivate godly action in our lives. Here are 10 disciplines shared by a pastor with over 40 years of experience in faithfully serving the Lord and shepherding God's people.

Tags: Perseverance, endurance, leadership, Accountability, pastoral leadership, Discipline, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, The Long View, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Reasons Why Some Pastors Don't Preach Grace

By Ron Forseth on Apr 1, 2025

Grace fuels confidence, obedience, and transformation. These insights address five common objections to preaching grace and show why it is essential for righteous living.

Scripture: John 1:14, Galatians 5:1, Titus 2:11-12, Romans 6:1-4, 2 Corinthians 9:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Grace, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)