In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Theology"

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 24, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

Tim Keller: The Theology Of Revival

By Tim Keller on Feb 6, 2024

Dig deep with this full-length session from The Gospel Coalition's 2013 conference.

Tags: Preaching, revival, Theology, tim keller, preaching, Tim Keller  (view more)  (view less)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

The State Of Theology: By Whose Authority?

By Dr. Stephen Nichols on Feb 4, 2022

One of the most significant questions you’ll ever ask is: By whose, or by what, authority?

Tags: Theology, Authority, GOD'S WISDOM, Authority of Scripture

Theology Can Blind You To God

By Marshall Segal on Apr 1, 2022

How do we know when our systems for understanding God have become sick with sin and paradoxically subtle justifications for opposing him?

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-13, John 3:30, Mark 3:22, Mark 2:16, Mark 1:22, Mark 7:3-6, Mark 10:33-34, Mark 11:18, Mark 12:24, Mark 12:34, Mark 14:1, Mark 11:28-33, Mark 15:1-11, Mark 12:38-40, Acts 3:13-15, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Corinthians 8:1-3, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18, John 14:6, Mark 8:31  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Greed, Pride, hypocrisy, Pharisees

Theology? Philosophy? What Do They Have To Do With Real Preaching?

By Mike Miller on Nov 25, 2024

Our theology of preaching is what we believe the Bible says about preaching. Our philosophy is how we put our beliefs into practice.

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:1-20, Jonah 3:1-10

Tags: Preaching, Theology, philosophy, preaching

Encouragement To Men To Study The Bible And Theology, And Find Great Happiness

By Randy Alcorn on Dec 6, 2023

Many Christian men would agree that they’re experts in business, hunting, fishing, football, or cars. Sadly, however, even those who attend Bible-teaching churches may know very little about the Bible and theology. Why?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Tags: priorities, Manhood, Theology, distractions, spiritual growth, men's ministry, happiness, Sports  (view more)  (view less)

Biblical Preaching Is More Than Quoting The Bible

By Jeff K. Clarke on Jan 7, 2026

Not all ideas in the Bible are biblical. Discover how reading Scripture through the lens of Jesus helps us rightly interpret God’s redemptive story.

Tags: hermeneutics, biblical theology, Bible interpretation, Bible Interpretation, Christ Centered Reading, Biblical Theology, Hermeneutics, Narrative Theology  (view more)  (view less)

The Whisper That Made Me Leave My Church

By Tod Bolsinger on Sep 10, 2021

I would hear that line echoed in my mind long after each conversation was over: "Why didn't seminary prepare me for this?"

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1-25

Tags: curriculum, Preaching, prepare, Theology, Seminary  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching A Funeral? 4 Shoulds And 2 You'd Better Nots

By Jared Moore on Aug 29, 2025

Don't miss an opportunity to preach the gospel--but don't blow it, either.

Tags: GODLY, Theology, preaching, Preaching, Funeral  (view more)  (view less)

When A Pastor Is A Growth Barrier - Part One: Dealing With Sin

By Ed Stetzer on Apr 15, 2024

I have worked for a long time to help pastors with growth barriers in their church. They can be anything from worship issues to strategy to theology and more. So many barriers can get in the way of a church growing, but a central one isn’t found in the processes of the church. There may be a number of reasons a ministry grows cold and a church slows down. But often, the heart of the problem is the heart of the pastor.

Tags: CLERGY SIN

Why Do Christians Love The Law?

By Rev. Burk Parsons on Jun 22, 2022

Why would anyone love the law of God?

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Romans 7:22, Matthew 5:17, Psalm 119:72

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, God's Law, obedience of faith

Cut Off Your Hand, Tear Out Your Eye

By Ray Ortlund on Aug 3, 2022

Hard words are not harmful words—when they come from Jesus. The real Jesus loves us enough to accept us freely and confront us honestly.

Scripture: Colossians 2:23, Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 13:21, Matthew 5:6, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:4, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Matthew 5:29-30  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, soul care, Hard Teaching

God’s Sovereignty And Glory

By Derek Thomas on Jun 30, 2022

God's sovereignty is a central pillar of Christian belief and the clear teaching of Scripture. But what does it mean?

Scripture: Proverbs 16:33, Genesis 6:6-7, 2 Timothy 2:13, Genesis 1:1, Romans 9:20-21, Matthew 28:19, Romans 13:3, 1 Peter 2:14  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Theology, Human Responsibility, preaching, Preaching, Sovereignty  (view more)  (view less)

Don’t Pursue Feelings. Pursue Christ.

By Joe Thorn on Jul 12, 2022

One danger is emotionalism, in which we allow our feelings to interpret our circumstances and form our thoughts about God. This is putting feelings before faith. The other danger is a kind of stoicism, where faith is rooted in theology but void of affection. This tendency removes feelings from faith altogether. While it is true that our emotions should not lead our theology, it is vital to our faith that theology lead to a deep experience of our triune God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Psalm 34:18, Romans 8:15, Psalm 34:4  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Emotions, Theology, Stoicism, Feelings, Doctrine to Doxology  (view more)  (view less)