In Preaching Articles: "Speak Truth In Love"

Can I Evaluate My Own Preaching?

By Steven Smith on Sep 25, 2024

We do not invent messages; we proclaim truth. So we measure our effectiveness by how faithful we are to the text.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Tags: Preaching, treasure, Faithfulness, Obligation, proclaim, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

3 Positive Ways To Respond To Negative Criticism

By Joe Hoagland on Feb 26, 2021

Some criticism is unequivocally bad criticism. It is destructive, not based 100% in truth, and is based in bad intentions. Prepare yourself for this kind of criticism.

Tags: Preaching, Criticism, criticism, preaching

6 Non Negotiable Traits You Need To Increase Your Leaderships Influence

By Carey Nieuwhof on Sep 29, 2023

As harsh as it sounds, here’s the truth: if a leader doesn’t buy you, they’ll rarely buy your idea.

Tags: Humility, leadership, Influence, competence, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

You Can't Please Everyone With Your Preaching

By Peter Mead on Feb 28, 2025

The challenge with criticism is to sort it through and preach for our audience of One, yet with a loving sensitivity to the many who sit and listen.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Criticism, criticism, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Reasons Small Churches Tend To Stay Small

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

After working for years among hundreds of small congregations, Joe McKeever speaks to the subtle growth barriers that tend to go unnoticed or unaddressed in stagnant churches.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Small Church, Church Practices, Pastor, church  (view more)  (view less)

Busting Out Of Sermon Block

By Haddon Robinson on May 28, 2020

Give your sermons new life every week with this timeless advice from Haddon Robinson.

Scripture: Luke 6:39-45, John 16:8-11

Tags: Love, Church, Preaching, Prayer, dedication, preparation, prepare, Result, Time, length, Leadership General  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Correct A Team Member In A Healthy Way

By Ron Edmondson on Nov 2, 2022

"All of us make mistakes and occasionally need someone to help us become better at what we do. This should always be the end goal of correction."

Scripture: Hebrews 12:11

Tags: leadership, relationships, Restoration, Respect, Biblical truth, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Worst Thing About My Own Sermons

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 22, 2024

Joe McKeever loves praise as much as the next guy. He also knows the preaching error he is most likely to make.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Preach The 'shoulds' And Not 'the Shouldn'ts'

By Joe Hoagland on Aug 15, 2019

Jesus is not just about getting rid of a bunch of behaviors but it is also about living out positive actions inspired by the grace and love of Jesus.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

6 Ways Pastors Can Help People Deal With Doubts

By Ray Hollenbach on Jun 12, 2020

It seems like doubt is a popular subject these days, but doubt comes with a price. Here are six ideas that could help any pastor when asked to speak about the subject of doubt.

Scripture: John 20:24-31

Tags: Faith, doubt, Belief

Top 10 Healthy Ways To Handle The Church Critic

By Charles Stone on Aug 17, 2022

“Two things you can’t avoid in ministry are…people late to the service and … church critics.” In this short post, I suggest 10 ways to handle the church critic.

Tags: Criticism, patience, offense, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, loving enemies, Disarming, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

The Central Message Of The Church Is Reconciliation

By Jeff K. Clarke on Oct 10, 2022

“The essence of forgiveness is absorbing pain instead of giving it.” – Timothy Keller

Scripture: Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Tags: Forgiveness, Gospel, Reconciliation, God's Love, forgive, Forgiveness in Jesus, gospel proclamation, The Church's Message, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

How To Resolve Most Relational Conflict

By Jon Bloom on Nov 5, 2022

"Few things sap more of our joy, are as emotionally demanding and mentally distracting, as relational conflict. And few things wreak as much havoc and destruction on lives as relational conflict. And so much of it is avoidable."

Scripture: Matthew 10:34-36, James 4:1, Matthew 18:21-35, 1 Peter 5:6, Philippians 2:14-15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Peace, Humility, conflict, resolving conflict, Love Others, Dealing with Conflicts, selfish ambition, Humility and Pride  (view more)  (view less)

The Most Significant Thing A Pastor Will Ever Do

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 9, 2024

The most valuable ministry thing you have done just may be the time you stopped to encourage a homeless man and bought him lunch.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

Tags: Faithfulness, priorities, Servanthood, Christian Love, Godly Leaders, pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Thinking About Quitting? 9 Hope-Filled Reminders

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 25, 2024

Someone asked me if I ever considered quitting when I was a pastor. My response was quick and truthful: “Yes. On the average about once a week.”

Tags: Preaching, preaching