In Preaching Articles: "People Over Programs"

Death To Dancing Bears

By Lance Witt on May 30, 2022

“Sometimes as a worship pastor,” he said, “I feel like a dancing bear. It’s my job to get up and perform for the crowd, and as long as the performance is good, everyone is happy. Except me. Something is missing and I don’t know what to do.”

Tags: Ministry, burnout, pastoral leadership, Lost Focus, People Over Programs, ministry  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 29, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)

Now That Easter Is Over…

By Lance Witt on Apr 4, 2024

As pastors we need to do a better job with the discipline of “sanctified lingering”.

Tags: gratitude, graciousness, Volunteer, Time of Reflection

Is Your Preaching Over-Educated?

By Chris Surber on Jul 27, 2021

If you have more theological degrees than a thermostat, you might be over-heating Sunday mornings!

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:3-5

Tags: Preaching, educated

Seven Signs A Sermon Is (Almost) Over

By Jon Acuff on Oct 27, 2020

Jon Acuff has heard quite a few sermons in his day. Here's a handy guide for discerning when the end is near.

Tags: Preaching, pastor, End, Pastor

The Future Of The Church Depends On Developing Deep People

By Ray Hollenbach on May 7, 2020

Gordon MacDonald argues that preaching and programs cannot secure a church’s future. Only intentional disciple-making and leadership development can.

Scripture: Mark 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:5, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, training, Church Renewal, Leadership

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Aug 6, 2023

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage.

Tags: suffering, Courage, People pleasing, intimacy with Christ

How To Lead People-Friendly Change In Your Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 12, 2022

I’ve been studying the art of change management lately and wanted to share a process with you that could save you a lot of grief the next time you think about a change in your church’s programs or procedures.

Tags: Communication, leadership, Change, Resilience, Leadership, communication  (view more)  (view less)

Should Pastors Use Other People’s Sermons?

By Ron Forseth on Sep 2, 2024

Is using another preacher’s sermon always wrong? This article examines plagiarism, conscience, diligence, and trust to offer a biblical framework for sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Romans 14:22-23, 1 Corinthians 10:29, James 3:1, Luke 12:48  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preparation, Speech, theft, Plagiarism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Passion, Prayer, And Planning Ministry: Building The Nehemiah Way

By Todd Brown on Mar 10, 2022

Working with hundreds of churches over the last 35 years, I have observed three common elements of successful building programs and all three are characteristics displayed by quality leaders.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Nehemiah, Prayer, strategy, Church Building

Five Ways To Turn Off Younger Listeners

By Adam Ramsey on Nov 6, 2024

If you're still in your first 5 years as a preacher, don’t give up! God has this wonderful way of drawing straight lines with crooked sticks.

Tags: Preaching, God's Love, Laughter, Young people, good advice, young people, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

When People Compare Pastors

By Charles Stone on Mar 26, 2021

Many pastors secretly struggle with measuring up to very successful pastors and churches. It’s tough, but it comes with ministry. People compare pastors. In this post I suggest a few ways to deal with this “measure up mentality.” I begin with one pastor’s experience.

Scripture: Psalm 62:5

Tags: Discouragement, Approval, Comparison, High expectations

You Exegete Your Text, But Do You Exegete Your People?

By Leslie Holmes on Sep 2, 2025

"Bob Easley may not have gone beyond sixth grade, but he taught this quasi-educated preacher that there's a lot more to be learned about preaching than I ever got inside a book."

Scripture: Job 1:1-10

Tags: people, Preaching, Text, exegete, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Doctrine Is Not Enough: Does Your Preaching Connect With People?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Feb 20, 2023

Doctrinal sermons are fine, but do they connect to human experience?

Tags: people, Preaching, Doctrine, connection, homiletical, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Reluctant Leadership Is Better Than Nothing

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 17, 2021

You ask the question and–this is critical–you remain standing. You are not just expressing a point of view, you are asking for answers. And you are doing so in such a sweet manner, no one can accuse you of trying to stir up anything.

Scripture: Romans 9:1-20

Tags: responsibility, Preaching, hurting people, servant leadership