In Preaching Articles: "Self Talk"

Three Foundational Passages For Growing Disciples Of Jesus

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 17, 2025

"Try to imagine talking about your subject every single day for two years. If the idea still thrills you, you've found your topic."

Tags: Jesus, Gospel, Growth, Discipleship, Disciples, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Great Preaching Needs Courage ... In The Pulpit And In The Pews

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 19, 2024

Can we talk about courage? This is as rare as plutonium these days, particularly among the very people who should demonstrate it most readily, the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tags: Preaching, Courage, compromise, pressure, Compromise, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If The Church Is God's Idea, Who Are We To Dismantle It?

By Jeff K. Clarke on Feb 25, 2022

I wonder if we have allowed our contemporary definition, understanding, and experience of the church to be shaped more by the post-modern impulse of individualism and self-centeredness, than by Christ’s and Paul’s emphasis on the gathered community from every race, tribe, and tongue?

Tags: individualism, church community, Listening, unity and diversity

Are You A "Do Something" Church?

By Miles Mcpherson on Jul 20, 2020

Many churches talk about impact but fail to act. Discover how counting real needs, walking toward the hurting, asking meaningful questions, and loving tangibly can transform a community.

Scripture: Mark 10:49-51, Luke 17:17-19, Luke 15:4, Luke 5:10-11, John 21:15-17  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Service, Servanthood

All Pastors Plagiarize--Here's Why

By Erik Raymond on Aug 6, 2021

We read, listen, talk, think, integrate, pray and listen. This is what we do. "In one very real sense, pastors don’t know what is original and what is not."

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

Stop The Revolution. Join The Plodders.

By Kevin Deyoung on Jan 24, 2022

It’s sexy among young people—my generation—to talk about ditching institutional religion and starting a revolution of real Christ-followers living in real community without the confines of church.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:21, Romans 16:8

Tags: Church, Commitment, endurance, Faithfulness, church  (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, Solitude, Silence, Leadership General, prayer life  (view more)  (view less)

Baggage: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

By Lance Witt on Jan 3, 2022

Every single week people walk into your church and for the most part they seem to have it together. They make small talk, they dress appropriately, they participate congenially, they listen politely, and at the end of the service they file out quietly.

Tags:

When The Cabin Loses Pressure: Preaching The Gospel With Urgent Clarity

By Ron Forseth on Mar 13, 2025

Preach about sin? Emphasize God’s wrath? Talk about Christ’s blood? Can that possibly have a positive effect? Most certainly. Ultimately, it’s the only way to have a lasting effect.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:20

Tags: Evangelism Urgency, Expository Application

When In Doubt, Don’t Quit

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 31, 2021

It may be harder to be happy in life and ministry than it’s ever been. From our earliest days, we have lived in an echo chamber, to varying degrees, of the voices of self-actualization. You can do whatever you set your mind to. Pursue your dreams. Find your passion — and make it profitable.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11, Colossians 4:17

Tags: Service, endurance, passion, Obstacles

9 Things I Learned From Preaching About Homosexuality

By Josh Reich on Mar 4, 2021

Your language and tone tells your church how to communicate it. Not only are you training your church what to believe about homosexuality, but you are also training them how to talk about it, what they will sound like.

Tags: Preaching, Homosexuality

How Can I Possibly Do Sermon Prep When I'm Just Not Feeling It?

By Chris Surber on Aug 25, 2025

God feels far away. Everybody at home is mad at you. Even the dog won’t talk to you. What do you do when you need to do sermon prep but you just aren’t feeling it?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:11-15

Tags: Preaching, sermon prep, venue, immerse yourself, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Crafting A Culture Of Honor

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2020

In the middle of this election year, the amount of vicious attack and trash talking has reached a new high (or low). I think it is time that we as pastors take the lead in helping our congregations and communities know how to treat one another.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:32, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:35, Romans 12:10

Tags: honor

Courageous Conversations - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 5, 2023

Here is my track record. Hundreds of times I have talked myself out of having a courageous conversation. EVERY time I have finally had the courageous conversation, I walked away wishing I had done it sooner.

Scripture: James 1:5

Tags: conflict, Courageous, church conflict, speaking truth