In Preaching Articles: "Small Church Growth"

Weaving Gospel Fluency Into Every Sunday Message

By Jeff Vanderstelt on Nov 20, 2022

If we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

Scripture: Luke 24:44-45

Tags: preaching Christ, guard the truth, Gospel centered, Teach His Word, church leadership, teaching, Teaching, pastoral leadership, defending the gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Always Choose The High Road (There’s Less Traffic)

By Jonathan Herron on Dec 6, 2022

Jesus said his disciples would be known by their radical love for one-another, (John 15:12).

Scripture: John 15:12

Tags: pastoral leadership, speak truth in love, Slow to speak, church leadership, Guard your tongue, honor, SALT AND LIGHT, Encourage Others  (view more)  (view less)

4 Issues That Could Silence Your Preaching

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Aug 7, 2020

We like to think we're beyond outside influence, but there are hot-buttons in every church that could take away your pulpit voice.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Kind Of Christians Will People Be If They Listen To Your Sermons For A Decade?

By Ray Hollenbach on Jul 22, 2025

Beyond the weekly phrase, "Good word, Preacher," the spiritual lives of the people in your church provide excellent feedback regarding the effectiveness of your preaching.

Tags: spiritual health, preaching, believer, Preaching, Congregation, Generation  (view more)  (view less)

How Your Preaching Can Destroy Modern Idols

By Chris Surber on Nov 14, 2024

Every church has those things that it clings to that are off the table for change or removal, and usually even for discussion--unless you bring them up.

Scripture: Leviticus 26:30

Tags: Preaching, destroy, Discussion, modern idols, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Forget Seminaries: What Are You Doing To Train The Next Generation Of Preachers?

By Chris Surber on Aug 15, 2025

We have a lot of people genuinely called, sincerely gifted people who struggle to find their way past the gatekeepers in our churches and denominations.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-5, Mark 5:24-34

Tags: Discipleship, Gift, Seminary, Next Generation

How Pastors And Parents Can Help Children Benefit From The Sermon

By Erik Raymond on Oct 13, 2025

Erik Raymond suggests some things he has done as both dad and pastor to help kids hear and understand the message in “big church.”

Tags: Forgiveness, Preaching, preaching

8 Easy Ways To Plan Now For New Vbs Families To Stick

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 7, 2021

In my experience, churches put on a stellar VBS and just hope that the fourth goal of retaining new families from the community will take care of itself.

Tags: Unchurched, VBS, families, relational leaders, Outreach  (view more)  (view less)

5 Spouse Killers In The Ministry

By Charles Stone on Aug 20, 2025

Eight in ten pastors’ wives say they feel unappreciated or unaccepted by their husband’s congregations. Charles Stone and his wife give insight into how to protect your spouse and your marriage during the sometimes difficult calling of pastoral ministry.

Tags: Ministry, stress, Marriage, wife, family, Stress, Trials and Difficulties, ministry, relationships, priorities, home, Spouse, Church Body of Christ, Marriage General  (view more)  (view less)

Pastors And Pornography

By Paul Kendall on Dec 14, 2022

Family counseling specialist Paul Kendall warns pastors and church leaders against the increasing threat of pornography and how to protect themselves and their ministries from it.

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Tags: Addiction, Pornography, pastor, Purity, Pastors, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Two Popular Preaching Styles

By Brady Boyd on Apr 24, 2020

Brady Boyd: "I think both approaches have merit for the local church and it’s the job of the pastor to listen to what God is saying and obey."

Tags: Preaching, preaching

10 Sacred Cows That Need To Be Tipped

By Jared Moore on Sep 6, 2024

Contemporary sacred cows are no more helpful than traditional sacred cows. Here's one preacher's view on the sacred cows that need tipped in the church today.

Scripture: John 21:20-22

Tags: Preaching, Method, preaching

Are You An Itinerant Pastor?

By Nathan Rouse on Sep 25, 2020

This addiction to "new" is breaking churches and ruining the credibility of those that minister in the pulpit. We need pastors that won't leave; we need pastors that will cleave.

Tags: Itinerant, Attrition, Preaching, pulpit

Why Structure Is Essential For Creativity

By Adam Russell on Jun 9, 2025

You have creatives in your church right now. It's not enough to make room for them, you should build a safe place for them, as well.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:27-28

Tags: Fruit, leadership, creative, potential, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

True Story: The Guinness Record For The World's Longest Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 10, 2019

Pastor Zach Zehnder of Cross Church began his quest on Friday, November 7, and by Sunday had preached for 53 hours and 18 minutes—Why?

Scripture: Lamentations 3:23

Tags: Preaching