In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Self Care"

When People Make Up Stories About You: A Pastor’s Guide To Handling Labels

By Charles Stone on Jul 30, 2024

Pastors are often misunderstood and mischaracterized. Responding with wisdom, restraint, and Christlike character helps transform false stories into God-honoring ones.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12

Tags: Church Relationships

God’s Work In Your Depression

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 4, 2022

“Is this depression? I have almost no motivation for anything. I have been praying and I will keep praying for God to be my strength but how do you fight when you don’t feel like fighting?"

Scripture: Isaiah 43:2-3, Psalm 139:11-12

Tags: Emotions, Healing, endurance, Depression, Struggles, soul care, Fighting for Joy, Help for the Hurting  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors, Articulate Your Vision (Again)

By SermonCentral .com on May 20, 2020

In this two-minute video John Piper reminds us that vision often leaks and it's our role to articulate it in fresh new ways.

Tags: vision, leadership, Leadership General, Leadership

How To Pastor Your Worship Leader

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 18, 2023

Jay Pathak discusses an important relationship -- the link between worship and sermon.

Tags: leader, Worship, Leader, pastor, Pastors, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Pornography’s Strategy Against Pastors

By Paul Kendall on Dec 14, 2022

Porn addiction destroys pastors, families, and churches. This exposes the enemy’s strategy and outlines a path to repentance, recovery, and lasting deliverance.

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Tags: Addiction, Pornography, Spiritual Warfare, pastor, Purity, Pastors, sexual purity, Church Health, Pastoral Integrity, Pastor, Porn Addiction, Sexual Purity  (view more)  (view less)

Should Pastors Perform Weddings For Unbelievers?

By John Piper on Jul 29, 2024

John Piper shares his input on "if" and "when" it's appropriate for pastors to marry unbelievers.

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:1

Tags: Children, Preaching, Pastors, Reason, Weddings, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Mistakes Pastors Make With Commentaries

By Peter Mead on May 5, 2025

Commentaries help with study, not sermon writing. Avoid atomized thinking, over-quoting, and needless citations to keep preaching clear and transformative.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 4:13-16

Tags: Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, Commentary, Bible Study, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, bible study, preaching, Sermon prep, commentary  (view more)  (view less)

5 Tough Challenges For Any Pastor

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 9, 2020

Thom Rainer shares his biggest challenges and asks, "What specific part of being a pastor is the most difficult for you?"

Tags: Preaching, gentle, preaching

Letter To A (Real Life) Hurting Pastor

By Chris Surber on Apr 25, 2025

Author Chris Surber suggests six avenues to handle the hurt and disappointment so common in pastoral ministry.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Do Pastors Avoid Teaching On Heaven?

By Toni Ridgaway on May 4, 2023

Scholars and authors say the church does not often present the topic of heaven anymore, and they wonder why.

Tags: Heaven, Truth, Preaching, preaching

Six Essential Skills For Transformational Pastors

By Tod Bolsinger on Jun 8, 2021

There's a gap between our aspired values and our actions. Effective pastors/preachers help us "mind the gap."

Tags: transform, Growth, leadership, Preaching, work, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Pastor, Are You Chasing Stray Dogs?

By Chris Surber on Jan 26, 2023

"Here is a list of people who have left the church in the last few years. We would like you to call on them to see if you can win a few of them back."

Tags: Church, Preaching, members, Church Health, stray dog, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

All Pastors Plagiarize--Here's Why

By Erik Raymond on Aug 5, 2021

We read, listen, talk, think, integrate, pray and listen. This is what we do. "In one very real sense, pastors don’t know what is original and what is not."

Tags: Steal, Preaching, pastor, Plagiarism, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Effective Pastor: Never Skimp On The Sermon

By Joe Mckeever on Mar 5, 2021

They call you Preacher because nothing you do is as important or as critical to the work of the church as your preaching.

Tags: Preaching, Pastoring, sermon, Sermon, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When God Stiff-Arms A Pastor

By Lance Witt on Jul 23, 2023

God delights to show His favor. He longs to pour out His Spirit. He is a God of lavish grace. But if you want to see God remove His favor and hold back His Spirit and shut off the spigot, just introduce pride. I have a growing awareness of how much pride has been and is in my life. It’s been a constant companion for more than fifty years. I am well acquainted with the dark side of leadership.

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