In Preaching Articles: "Preaching Pastoral Ministry"

Spiritual Oil Crisis

By Lance Witt on Oct 21, 2022

What are you trusting God for? What are attempting for God’s glory that requires faith? Sadly, the more years people serve in ministry, the less risk-taking faith they demonstrate. We can begin to rely on our experience, our skills, and our planning to win the day. Yet, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Hebrews 11:6

Tags: Daring Faith, ministry, Ministry, Trust, Elisha, relying on god, Risk taking, church leadership, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 10, 2025

Whether you’re in a church of 20 or 20,000, these principles will help you to invest the talents God has given to your church.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Pastor, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How We Moved From Theological To Therapeutic Preaching--And Why It Matters

By Joseph Mattera on Oct 6, 2025

Some pastors preach messages that show they spend more time studying behaviorism and sociology than they do the Scriptures.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Top 3 Reasons Church Growth Ideas Usually Fail In Smaller Churches

By Karl Vaters on Aug 30, 2022

We're often told that small churches are failing at church growth. But sometimes church growth ideas are failing in smaller churches.

Tags: Church Growth, Context, pastoral leadership, Church Attendance, church ministry, rural church, Growth Strategy, Urban Church, context, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

A Risk Worth Taking

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Apr 9, 2024

Are you tired? Worn down by the pace of life and ministry? Do you feel like the abundant life may not be for ministry leaders?

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-2, Deuteronomy 5:6

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, relationships, Rest, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher’s Tip: If You Can Keep From Preaching, Do It

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 5, 2020

Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. shares a personal story about a powerful preaching insight he received from his father.

Tags: Preaching, advice, insight, Improve

The Patented Preacher

By Warren Wiersbe on Apr 20, 2020

Preaching thrives when pastors embrace who God made them to be. God prepares the messenger as much as the message, and faithful preaching grows from that truth.

Scripture: John 12:35-50, Genesis 22:1-14, Acts 4:20, Acts 22:15, 2 Corinthians 4:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, family, Adversity, Live

5 Right And Wrong Ways To Deal With Criticism

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 20, 2025

Ron Edmondson offers insight about the good and bad ways we respond to ministry criticism.

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Criticism, Confidence, evaluation, Leadership General, criticism, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Land Speaking Engagements

By Ben Arment on Feb 4, 2026

Ben Arment suggests eight practical steps that could expand your ministry beyond the pulpit. Why not give them a try?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

When Church Members Leave: How Pastors Carry The Quiet Wound

By Greg Surratt on Apr 28, 2020

Pastors feel deep pain when people leave their church. Understanding why it happens and how to respond wisely can turn hurt into growth, humility, and renewed strength.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, John 6:66-67, Proverbs 19:11, Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices, connect, church  (view more)  (view less)

To A Young Pastor: Five Things I Wish I Had Known

By Rob Pochek on Nov 16, 2020

Young or old, we all have a list of the things we want to pass on to the next generation. Are any of these yours?

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Tags: advice, Pastors, Foolproof, Young, behavior  (view more)  (view less)

One Pastor's View: Which Bible Translations Should You Read?

By Clay Smith on Jul 16, 2021

Here's how one pastor answers a commonly-asked question. How would you answer?

Tags: Bible, Holy Spirit, Guide, translation, Bible Influence, bible  (view more)  (view less)

What I've Learned Preaching With Parkinson’s Disease

By Tom Teichmann on May 13, 2020

"For the past seven years I have been living with Parkinson's Disease (PD), and my church has been living with a pastor who is living with PD."

Tags: Preaching, disease, disability, Improve, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Without Cabin Pressure

By Ron Forseth on Aug 9, 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

Including Kids In Small Groups Benefits The Whole Community

By John Gilman Ii on Mar 18, 2021

Before kids, life was simpler, but it was a lot less fun. After kids, things get crazy. Everything takes more time, and you wonder what you did before the little ones were around. Going places with your kids becomes an adventure. You pack up everything you’ll need and some things you won’t. You make sure everyone’s eaten and used the restroom, even though you know they’ll be hungry and have to go again when you get there.

Tags: Children, family ministry, Church Small Groups