In Preaching Articles: "Small Church"

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 19, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 29, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)

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

By Karl Vaters on Sep 5, 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: Discipleship, Church Growth, Make Disciples, great commission, pastoral leadership, church ministry, Growth Strategy, Equip the Saints  (view more)  (view less)

Eight Ideas For Reaping The Fruit Of Your Vacation Bible School

By Hal Seed on Jul 7, 2024

Learn how to move beyond counting VBS attendance to measuring true fruit by building relationships, following up well, and enfolding unchurched families into the life of your church.

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Children, Outreach, family, VBS, evangelism, church  (view more)  (view less)

When Creativity Crosses The Line To Become Offensive

By Calvin Miller on Apr 13, 2025

Creative preaching can clarify truth or quietly undermine it. This article reflects on when creativity serves worship and when it crosses into embarrassment.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Colossians 3:16, Romans 14:19

Tags: Church, Communication, Preaching, Confidence, Creativity, communication, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

3 Reasons Pastors Don't Connect With Millennials

By Tyler Braun on Sep 9, 2020

Millennial faith is declining, but blame is not the answer. Real change begins with relationships, honesty about doubt, and personal engagement.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Matthew 11:3, Mark 3:14, John 13:35, Jude 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Youth, Preaching, Relevant, church culture, preaching, Church Culture  (view more)  (view less)

What Is The Future Of Preaching?

By Dwayne Milioni on Mar 1, 2024

Preaching has always adapted to cultural and technological change. Today’s shifts in technology, church structure, and culture are reshaping how preaching will function in the coming decades.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 1:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 20:27, Hebrews 13:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Church, future, Preaching, American, Homiletics, preaching, church, Future  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Church Have A Negative Reputation? You Can Reverse It

By Ron Edmondson on Feb 5, 2023

"Not that I seek the approval of man, but I wanted to be part of a church that would truly make a difference in our community, so much so that if we were gone, people would miss us."

Tags: Church, Preaching, negative, reputation, ron edmondson, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

How Do You Lead Without Being Toxic?

By Rev Mac Mccarthy on Dec 20, 2021

When leadership does not transition to development in a timely way, it becomes toxic.

Tags: leadership, Healthy Church, Leadership General, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

46% Of Us Adults Now Unchurched

By Michael Duduit on Apr 5, 2024

Barna makes these observations: “Attracting churchless people to corporate faith usually requires more than a few incremental refinements in outreach strategy and tactics. This is about more than improved marketing and having greeters at the church’s front door."

Tags: Change, Unchurched, Church Attendance, Change in America, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 2)

By Lance Witt on Apr 3, 2024

“What does true “unity” look like practically? If Jesus’ prayer was answered, what would be the evidence?”

Scripture: Romans 12:10, Acts 4:32-35

Tags: Generosity, christian unity, Church Unity, local church purpose

5 Key Principles Every Leader Should Master

By Carey Nieuwhof on Oct 10, 2023

If you were to focus on just a handful of key principles to master in leadership, which would you focus on?

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Tags: passion, Health, godly character, Church Attendance, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

The 25 Most Influential Preachers Of The Past 25 Years

By Michael Duduit on Jan 1, 2025

From Billy Graham to Tim Keller, this article profiles 25 preachers who have most shaped the American pulpit over the last 25 years and why their influence endures.

Tags: Church, leadership, Preaching, pastor, Influence, Circumstance, Pivotal, Leadership General, church leadership, Pastor, Leadership, preaching, church, Church Leadership, Ministry History  (view more)  (view less)

You Cannot Out-Dream God

By Marshall Segal on Jul 11, 2023

We tend to think our dreams were too big when we were young, say when we were six, and too small as we get older. But maybe our dreams never reach high enough.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 10:33, Isaiah 43:7, Matthew 4:8, Psalm 49:16-17, Matthew 6:19-21, John 5:44, John 12:43, Matthew 6:1, Psalm 115:1, Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 16:11, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Ephesians 2:5, 1 Timothy 4:7, Matthew 19:29  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Dreams, Materialism, eternal perspective, Following God's will

What Does It Really Mean To "Go Deeper”?

By Alan Danielson on May 1, 2020

Alan Danielson offers his take on one of the most overrated comments in the church today.

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7, Colossians 2:7

Tags: Thought, Church, leadership, Preaching, spiritual growth, Leadership, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)