In Preaching Articles: "Priorities"

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 11, 2025

Decades of research reveal five church-growth principles—disciple-making, relationships, felt-needs, transitions, and social networks—that help any church engage its community.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

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

You Can Love Ministry And Miss Jesus

By Marshall Segal on Dec 20, 2021

What captivates your heart more: what God does through you, or what he has done for you?

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-5, Philippians 3:7-8, Philippians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, Luke 10:3, Matthew 10:7-8, Luke 10:17-20, Colossians 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, priorities, loving God, Christian Priorities

The Power Of Concentration For Doing A Little More

By Brandon Cox on Sep 21, 2023

I believe that most of us can do more, need to do less, and that it’s possible to do more and less at the same time.

Tags: priorities, focus, energy, church leadership

Walter Brueggemann: The Preacher's Task

By Walter Brueggemann on Jan 26, 2024

"I believe many preachers finally get around to their task in their fatigue . . ." Where's the priority of preaching in your week?

Tags: Task, Preaching, fatigue, walter Brueggemann, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

We Can Whine About The New Generation Or Worship With Them – But We Can’t Do Both

By Karl Vaters on Apr 26, 2024

We can either whine about how the new generation chooses to worship, or we can worship and minister with them. But we can’t do both.

Scripture: John 7:24

Tags: Perspective, Culture, church culture, Christian Priorities, future generations, church priorities, Generations, e, perspective, culture  (view more)  (view less)

Seven Deadly Statements Of Church Members

By Thom Rainer on Oct 13, 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)

Work Smarter, Not Harder

By Lance Witt on Jan 10, 2022

There is a story in the Bible about a very gifted and competent leader who wasn’t working smart.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27

Tags: priorities, advice, Leadership Listening, walking wisely

The Work Life Balance Myth

By Shawn Lovejoy on May 27, 2022

Family and work can’t be balanced. The good news is that it’s not supposed to be.

Scripture: Proverbs 24:27

Tags: family, leadership, priorities, Balanced Life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To Preach Without Cabin Pressure

By Ron Forseth on Aug 10, 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

A Matter Of Integrity: Why Christians Must Stop Taking The Fake News Bait

By Karl Vaters on Apr 4, 2022

Christians should have the reputation for being the most truthful people on earth. But we don’t.

Scripture: Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20, Deuteronomy 4:20

Tags: priorities, Dishonesty, Truth and Lies, stand for truth, e  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Church Telling The Truth About Evangelism?

By Greg Stier on Jan 15, 2025

Many churches claim evangelism is their priority, but few practice it. This article exposes the disconnect and outlines five steps to make evangelism a true, lived mission.

Scripture: Acts 4:31

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Gospel, Honesty, great commission, Church General, Church Leadership, Evangelism Training, Great Commission, Mission Statements, Evangelism How To, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, evangelism, gospel, church  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Need A broader Definition Of Church Growth?

By Karl Vaters on Oct 13, 2023

Any definition of church growth that doesn’t allow for, even celebrate, churches that contribute in non-numerical ways is incomplete.

Tags: Church Growth, priorities, pastoral leadership, First Things First, Right Values  (view more)  (view less)

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)

10 Mistakes Churches Make At Christmastime

By Jonathan Howe on Dec 21, 2024

Unfortunately stress can lead churches to plan poorly and make unnecessary mistakes. Here are ten such mistakes to avoid in your church this Christmas.

Tags: focus on GOD, Christmas Gospel, church priorities, church leadership, Christmas, Advent, Holidays, prepare  (view more)  (view less)

How To Make The Most Of Your Morning

By Josh Reich on Jun 15, 2024

"There is a lot at stake in what we do with our mornings."

Scripture: Psalm 34:8

Tags: Morning, priorities, prayers, distractions, Personal Growth, Quiet time, productivity, Good Habits, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)