In Preaching Articles: "Pastoral Theology"

Doing Ministry Without Losing Your Soul Part 2

By Lance Witt on May 16, 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: Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Healthy Ministry, Tensions in Ministry, Leadership, leadership, Balance, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Screenwriting As Sermon Preparation

By Jeff Chaves on Apr 24, 2024

Expand your sermon prep and presentation skills through the art of screenwriting.

Tags: Pastor, Sermon Prep, teaching, presentation, Sermon prep, screenwriting, Teaching, pastor, Presentation, sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Getting An Approachability Checkup

By Ken Sande on Mar 5, 2025

An expert in conflict management, Ken Sande brings his expertise to pastors and leaders to help them relate better with their congregation, co-workers, and families.

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 18:12-14, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, Mark 10:42-45  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Peace, leadership, pastor, conflict, relationships, counsel, Communication General, Leadership General, Pastor, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Boost Your Preaching Creativity

By Brandon Kelley on Jul 3, 2022

Do you want more people to walk away from the church gathering and actually remember the big idea from your sermon? Of course you do. Who wouldn’t?

Scripture: John 3:36, Matthew 15:21

Tags: Sermon Help, Teaching Prep, preaching, Preaching, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, poor preaching, Effective Teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Has Your Emotional Brain Hijacked Your Leadership?

By Charles Stone on Nov 30, 2023

Great ministry leaders keep their emotions in check. Unfortunately, when we don’t keep them in check, our emotional brain can hijack clear thinking and good leadership.

Scripture: Romans 10:10

Tags: pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership, brain, Emotions, leadership, Brain, memory, Decision making  (view more)  (view less)

7 Things Preachers Never Say

By Peter Mead on May 6, 2024

Preachers speak, but we don’t talk about everything. If you are a preacher you may read this series and find some encouragement that you are not alone. If you know a preacher you may read this and find some understanding that you did not have before.

Tags: church leadership, Ministry Pressure, Stress, Overwhelmed, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, expectations, stress  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Deadly Statements Of Church Members

By Thom Rainer on Oct 12, 2022

"Words have meaning. And if church members start articulating words consistently, those words begin to reflect the priorities and passions of the church."

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, shepherding, Shepherding, conflict, relationships, Church worship, pastoral leadership, church membership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Mistakes Most Preachers Make

By Carey Nieuwhof on Aug 1, 2022

"So maybe you’re a preacher, or you listen to preachers (or stopped listening to preachers). Almost everyone has a perspective on what makes or doesn’t make for a great sermon."

Tags: preaching, teaching, Simplicity, effective, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, preaching Christ, Effective Teaching, Teaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Make A Graceful Exit And Leave Your Church Well

By Charles Stone on May 27, 2024

"Unless you stay at the same church your entire life, you will leave one ministry or church and go to another, perhaps several times. I’ve learned that leaving is more of an art and is often difficult. Here are 7 insights I’ve learned that have helped me make a graceful exit."

Scripture: Acts 24:16, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:15, Colossians 3:23, Proverbs 22:1, 1 Kings 1:27, Acts 20:35-38  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Moving Forward, Pastoral Transition, Integrity, pastoral leadership, let go, overcome bitterness, Transitions, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

4 Instances Not To Mention Hell In Your Preaching

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Mar 5, 2018

There are times when hell should never be mentioned in our preaching. In fact, when hell is mentioned during these times, it may dishonor Christ more than honor Him and do more disservice to the gospel than service.

Scripture: Mark 9:43-48

Tags: Hell, Lust, Wisdom, Satan, Preaching, pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Why Is It So Difficult To Lead A Church Through Change?

By Rob Pochek on Jul 9, 2025

Everyone says they want change, so what's the problem?

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Acts 9:3-6, Titus 3:1-5

Tags: Church, leadership, Change, Pastoring, Leadership, church  (view more)  (view less)

Preachers, Find Your Voice

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 19, 2021

In the days of the church, a major way in which God’s word is revealed to his people is through the regular, ordinary, week-in, week-out ministry of local church pastor-preachers.

Tags: voice, Pastoral, preach, preaching, New, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Shrinking Population Of Preachers And What You Can Do About It

By Ben Mandrell on Sep 15, 2021

How one pastor did something more than wring his hands over the situation, and what he did about it.

Tags: front lines, Preaching, Pastors, population, shrinking  (view more)  (view less)

5 Qualities To Seek In The Heart Of A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jan 28, 2022

Someone asked me recently what I primarily look for in the hiring of a staff position. I said, without reservation, first and foremost, I look for the heart.

Tags: leadership, Integrity, Innovation, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Courageous Conversations - Part 1

By Lance Witt on Sep 3, 2023

When it comes to correction, rebuke, or confrontation, to say it’s uncomfortable is a massive understatement. The truth is, pastors avoid it at all costs. That has certainly been true of me.

Tags: Communication, Courage, Confrontation, pastoral leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)