In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Self Care"

Finishing (Your Sermon) Well

By Michael Voll on Dec 5, 2022

Come Sunday morning many times we preachers fill our sermons with funny stories, but forget to point to the ultimate story of Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: preaching the gospel, Sermon Prep, preaching, teaching, Sermon prep, Preaching, illustration, application, pastoral leadership, sermon prep, preaching Christ, Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Should I Leave My Current Ministry Position?

By Josh Reich on Feb 25, 2021

Too many pastors work at churches they would not attend if they didn’t get paid to be there. Think about this: If you work at a church, would you attend it if you didn’t get paid to be there?

Tags: Job, Preaching

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, sermon preparation, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Good Preaching Is As Important As Ever

By Joe Hoagland on Jul 28, 2022

People love to tell you that preaching is irrelevant in this day and age. But contrary to this kind of thinking, good preaching does remain important. In fact, preaching remains as important as it has ever been.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Teaching God's Word, communication, preaching, Pastoral Ministry, faithful preaching, Value of Preaching, Modern Age, Busy Culture, Shepherd the Flock  (view more)  (view less)

What Brian Williams Has To Teach Us About Preaching

By Rob Pochek on Nov 15, 2021

Pastor Rob Pochek details four solid lessons we can draw from current events. Image source: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Tags: nbc nightly news, preaching, Lesson, Preaching, current events, brian williams  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting A Culture Of Honor

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2020

In the middle of this election year, the amount of vicious attack and trash talking has reached a new high (or low). I think it is time that we as pastors take the lead in helping our congregations and communities know how to treat one another.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:35, Romans 12:10

Tags: honor

7 Things That Get Harder As Your Church Grows

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 7, 2023

Ever think that growth will solve all your problems?

Tags: leadership, Church Growth, Focus on Numbers, Elias livingstone, Leadership, Healthy Church, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church problems, church priorities, Effective Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Ultimate Character Test Any Great Leader Passes

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 14, 2023

Moral failure takes out more leaders than it should. But real success is deeper than just avoiding the ditch.

Tags: Leadership, pastoral leadership, church leadership, First Things First, Leadership Failure, True Success, e, leadership, Character, Faithfulness, Home Life, Integrity, Popularity  (view more)  (view less)

Dave Stone’s 8 Principles To Great Preaching

By Brandon Kelley on Sep 10, 2022

Dave Stone’s 8 Principles to Great Preaching

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10

Tags: teaching, Sermon prep, Pastoral Ministry, sermon prep, effective preaching, Sermon Prep, communication, preaching, Communication, Teaching, Preaching, Preaching Help, Communication Speech  (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

Relevant, Old Paths

By Rev. Burk Parsons on Nov 26, 2022

If we are to redirect the current paths of young people, we must begin in the church by taking up the charge to come alongside younger men and women, and teach them the old, ancient values of God's Word.

Tags: child training, bible study, Bible Study, Bible Truth, pastoral leadership, teach children, call to discipleship, guard the truth, teach, BIBLE STUDY, bible truth  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Affair-Proof Your Ministry

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 7, 2020

Ron Edmondson: "It seems every day we hear of another big name celebrity, politician, or pastor who has fallen into the temptation of lust and had an affair. I think it is dangerous for any leader to assume this could never happen to him or her."

Tags: Preaching

How To Preach Without Cabin Pressure

By Ron Forseth on Aug 10, 2023

Preaching is an opportunity to creatively illustrate the urgency of the gospel and to challenge believers to watch for those people God brings into their lives to tell them about Christ—or at least to invite them to church to hear it where they know their pastor will consistently and clearly share the good news.

Tags: priorities, Evangelism Urgency, preaching Christ, Call to salvation

Can The Holy Spirit Use Ai? Should Christians Use It?

By David Harper on Sep 29, 2025

AI is changing the way we live, work, and even do ministry. This article explores how pastors can use AI to save time, communicate more effectively, and reach more people—while also guarding against the dangers of over-reliance, inauthenticity, and distraction from the Spirit’s leading.

Tags:

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)