In Preaching Articles: "Serving Faithfully"

Don’t Try To Be Successful, Try To Do Good Work

By Karl Vaters on Jul 3, 2024

A minister with a well-nourished soul may or may not have a big church, but they’ll always have a healthy ministry.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-11, 1 Corinthians 4:2

Tags: leadership, Faithfulness, Good Works, pastoral leadership, success in ministry, church leadership, measuring success, serving faithfully, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Sermon Outline Serve You Or Do You Serve It?

By Joe Hoagland on Jan 19, 2026

Think you don’t need a sermon outline? Discover why using one can sharpen your message, increase clarity, and enhance your connection with the congregation.

Tags: Preaching, preaching tips, sermon prep, Sermon outline, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep, Preaching Tips, Sermon Outline, Preaching Structure  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Serving Slop In The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 24, 2021

Sherman Cox warns, "There's an inclination today to resort to tactics and tricks to manufacture a connection to the congregation that is neither real nor helpful."

Scripture: Romans 14:1-23

Tags: Preaching, pulpit, Insult, frown

7 Things I Love About Serving In The Established Church

By Ron Edmondson on Feb 9, 2021

Whether it’s church planting or encouraging church revitalization and growth of an existing church – if God calls you to it, and you are faithful to the call – you’ll feel His pleasure upon your obedience and service.

Tags: Church, Preaching, Serving

10 Disciplines Of A Godly Pastor

By Dr. R. Kent Hughes on Jul 8, 2022

Our ultimate trust is always in God's persevering grace, nevertheless, we are called to cultivate godly action in our lives. Here are 10 disciplines shared by a pastor with over 40 years of experience in faithfully serving the Lord and shepherding God's people.

Tags: Perseverance, endurance, leadership, Accountability, pastoral leadership, Discipline, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, The Long View, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Moms, Your Secret Sacrifices Matter

By Shanna Mallon on May 5, 2021

Mothers, resist the temptation to believe that if you're sacrificing and serving and no one notices, what you're doing must not matter at all. It matters.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Tags: mother's day, Motherhood, eternal rewards, Serving in Secret

Is The Problem Really A Lack Of Deep Teaching?

By Eric Geiger on Jul 29, 2021

For a pastor who longs to faithfully feed people the Word of God, there are few statements that sting as deeply.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Tags: Preaching, Lack, problem, deep teaching, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Some Things I Have Learned About Leadership–and Have The Scars To Prove

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 17, 2022

To serve people “for Jesus’ sake” means we ask Him how to serve them.

Scripture: Matthew 25:21-23, Romans 13:7, Luke 12:48, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Luke 22:27, Mark 10:43-44  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, serve others, pastoral leadership, selfish ambition, servant leadership, Humility and Pride, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

What Makes A Sermon Good?

By Duane K Kelderman on Aug 1, 2024

Great sermons are clear, biblical, and transformative. They communicate well, faithfully proclaim Scripture, and lead listeners toward deeper obedience and faith.

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-10, 1 Chronicles 1:1

Tags: Worship

How To Plan A Preaching Calendar

By Josh Reich on Apr 14, 2025

Planning your preaching calendar in advance brings clarity, balance, and creativity, helping pastors steward their time, teams, and congregations faithfully.

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:11-18, Habakkuk 2:2, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 4:2, Proverbs 16:3  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Teaching the Bible

Pastor Grinch

By Lance Witt on Jun 19, 2024

As pastors, how do we celebrate Christmas without getting lost in the shuffle of busy church activities?

Scripture: Luke 2:17-19

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Holidays, Christmas Advent, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Serving Others, church ministry  (view more)  (view less)

A Key To Healthy Relationships

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2022

I think hospitality has the power to change the relationships we have. It is that powerful.

Tags: Community, Welcome, invite, Hospitality, Christian Love, serve others, Love One Another, Intentionality, community  (view more)  (view less)

How To Recruit And Keep The Best Volunteers

By Josh Reich on Jan 25, 2022

The idea of recruiting volunteers is overwhelming and difficult at times. There never seems to be enough people, and the ones who are serving are often tired and feel like they are the only ones serving.

Tags: Communication, Lay Leadership, ministry vision, Recruiting, communication  (view more)  (view less)

John Piper’s Prayer In The Path Of Hurricanes

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 6, 2024

A prayer for those facing the impact of the recent hurricanes.

Scripture: Romans 8:39, Job 38:1, Luke 13:4, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Comfort, Perseverance, Hope, Prayer, glory of God, Hurricane, Grace of God, Serving Others, our rock  (view more)  (view less)

5 Mistakes More Likely To Be Made By Small Churches Than Big Churches

By Karl Vaters on May 25, 2022

Different sizes of churches serve different functions. And they face different challenges.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: strategy, Small Church, Equipping The Body, Traditions of Men