In Preaching Articles: "Pulpit Ministry"

The Double-Edged Sword Of Ambition

By Lance Witt on Jul 10, 2024

Ambition is a blessing and a curse. When it is God-directed and Spirit-managed, it can bear tremendous fruit. But when it is hijacked by self and ego, it can leave a wake of destruction in its path.

Tags: entering God's rest, ministry vision, Faithfulness, motivation, Ambition, Rest in Christ, pastoral leadership, personal holiness  (view more)  (view less)

Do Not Forsake True Solitude, Pastor

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 11, 2022

I am talking about purposely removing yourself from the busyness to focus on prayer for your congregation, reflection on your spiritual life and those around you, and meditation on the huge weight that is the pastoral ministry.

Scripture: Joshua 1:8

Tags: prayer life, Prayer Life, Solitude, Silence, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When You Are Not A Mother: Honoring Moms Without Pretending

By Joe Mckeever on Apr 30, 2020

Many pastors dread Mother’s Day sermons. This article shows how to preach honestly when you are not a mom, honoring real struggles through Mary, prayer, and prodigal hope.

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Tags: Holidays, Preaching, pastor, mothers, mother's day, Motherhood, Pastoral Ministry, Pastor, preaching, sermon ideas, Sermon Ideas  (view more)  (view less)

Six Details To Include In Your Church Staff Bios

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 14, 2022

When we talk with first-time guests about church websites, many of them share their surprise that the website fails to include bios or any information other than a name for the church staff.

Tags: Digital Strategy, Executive Pastor, Church Bio, connect, Healthy Church, Connect, Clarity, church ministry, Church Website  (view more)  (view less)

When A Private Apology Is Not Enough

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 15, 2022

"Nothing is so lovely and so welcome and so healing in a church as for a member to go before the congregation and admit to his/her destructive behavior and ask for forgiveness."

Tags: Humility, Reconciliation, repentance, restitution, Confession of Sin, church ministry, Apology, Making things right, Admitting Guilt, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

3 Ways To Collaborate In Sermon Preparation

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 5, 2022

Have you ever considered how you might collaborate in sermon prep?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1

Tags: teaching, sermon prep, working together, collaboration, Teaching Prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Teaching, Preaching, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways To Process The Emotions Of Betrayal As A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 27, 2022

"Suddenly I was feeling a stirring in my stomach. I became slightly nervous. It was a brief encounter, but I quickly realized I was being reminded of a few very painful experiences in my own leadership and life. I was recalling the emotions of betrayal."

Scripture: Isaiah 61:3, Philippians 4:19, Acts 1:13

Tags: pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, grieving, Overcoming hurt, Leadership, Forgiveness, Healing, leadership, conflict, Betrayal, Forgiveness for Others  (view more)  (view less)

Handling A Hurricane Part 3

By Lance Witt on May 6, 2024

In a storm, it is helpful to have a plan, but it is even more important to have clear, decisive leadership in the midst of everything being blown apart.

Tags: Leadership Failure, Relational Dynamics, Leadership, Perseverance, leadership, resolving conflict, pastoral leadership, overcoming sin, church ministry  (view more)  (view less)

What If We Made Disciples And Left Church Growth To God?

By Karl Vaters on Sep 6, 2022

If we prioritized health, not as a means to growth, but as an end in itself, would we be in a greater position to represent Jesus to the world?

Tags: great commission, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Growth Strategy, Equip the Saints, Discipleship, Church Growth, Make Disciples  (view more)  (view less)

Liquid Teams

By Lance Witt on Nov 28, 2023

What are the makings of an exceptional team?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Tags: Leadership, team building, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church leadership, Team Dynamics, e, leadership, strategy, Teamwork  (view more)  (view less)

5 Pastoral Emergencies That Aren’t Emergencies

By Carey Nieuwhof on May 18, 2024

"If you’ve been in ministry for any length of time, you know the challenge of trying to move the mission forward and handle the pastoral needs of a congregation at the same time. One of the most perplexing problems pastors and church leaders face is how to handle ‘pastoral emergencies’—the crises that come up in the lives of people that they look to you to help solve."

Tags: resolving conflict, Time Management, crisis response, conflict management, pastoral leadership, questions, Pastoral Ministry, avoiding burnout  (view more)  (view less)

The Top Ten Sources Of Discouragement For Pastors

By Thom Rainer on May 20, 2024

“Is this valley I am going through normal for pastors?”

Tags: Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, criticism, Criticism, Discouragement, church conflict, pastoral leadership, Financial Management, family dynamics  (view more)  (view less)

Gospel-Centered Sermons Actually Work

By Jeff Medders on Nov 16, 2022

"I want to encourage every pastor reading this to keep preaching the gospel. Week in. Week out. Keep exalting, heralding, and lifting up our crucified Savior, risen from the dead, reigning in Heaven, saving all who will look to him and believe."

Scripture: Romans 16:25, Colossians 1:28, 1 Corinthians 2:2

Tags: preaching Christ, power of the gospel, gospel, preaching, Gospel, Preaching, teach, pastoral leadership, Entrust with Gospel, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

5 Must-Know Facts About First-Time Visitors

By Rick Ezell on Nov 3, 2021

You may be the most skilled preacher and your church may have excellent small groups or the best children’s ministry in the city, but your first-time guests will never know unless they make a second or third visit.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Luke 15:20-24

Tags: Grace, guest, Celebrate, Preaching, Hospitality, Visitors, grace, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Don't Put The Brakes On Summer Groups

By John Gilman Ii on Jun 21, 2024

It’s tempting to waive the white flag, to throw your hands up in surrender, to the summer slump. Many churches simply resign their efforts and re-appropriate them in the fall. First on the chopping block of suspended ministries are groups.

Tags: relationships, Volunteer, creative, Church Small Groups