In Preaching Articles: "spiritual growth"

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

5 Scientifically Proven Skills That Make You A Better Leader

By Charles Stone on Mar 10, 2022

Mindfulness is a spiritual discipline akin to biblical meditation. It’s setting aside daily time to be still before God, to be in His presence in the present moment.

Tags: stress, leadership, Stress, Meditation, sound mind, Spiritual Discipline, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Six Essential Skills For Transformational Pastors

By Tod Bolsinger on Jun 9, 2021

There's a gap between our aspired values and our actions. Effective pastors/preachers help us "mind the gap."

Tags: transform, Growth, leadership, Preaching, work, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Why Didn't The Disciples Ask Jesus How To Measure Success?

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 27, 2024

Imagine this scenario. Jesus is meeting with the disciples. He’s been training them for three years. He’s died, risen again and walked with them in resurrection power for almost 40 days. As the day of his ascension draws near, he gathers them together to reiterate The Great Commission.

Scripture: Luke 14:23, Luke 15:7

Tags: Disciples, success, Church Growth, Measure success

The Five Kinds Of Churches That Must Change Or Die

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 15, 2023

Okay, I have some tough news for you who are members or leaders of about 100,000 churches in America. Change or die.

Tags: Change, Church Growth, Reality, Dying Church

The Growing Church Series: 10 Characteristics Of Churches That Grow

By Brandon Kelley on Feb 5, 2022

Instead of sitting and worrying about the state of the Church in America, let’s begin asking the question, what are growing churches doing differently?

Tags: Church Growth, intentional, proactive, Dying Church

How God Became A Man: What Jesus Did For Thirty Years

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 1, 2022

Don’t begrudge God the glory of your long, arduous maturation process. In it you are tasting the growing pains that Jesus knows very well. And he stands ready to help you persevere until God’s process is complete.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:26, Hebrews 5:7-9, Matthew 17:27, John 11:14, John 1:47, Luke 3:23, Matthew 2:1-23, Luke 2:8-51, Luke 2:52, John 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, Ordinary, Christian growth, incarnation of Jesus

The Cumulative Effect Of Our Little Choices

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 17, 2022

Every day we’re becoming someone—the question is, who?

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Timothy 4:7-8, Proverbs 4:14-15, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 5:15-16, John 15:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Personal Growth, soul care, Habits, choices

11 Reasons To Protect Your Spirit From The Demands Of Ministry

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 8, 2021

Pastoral ministry can be hazardous to our spiritual health. But it doesn’t need to be.

Tags: Preaching

The Christian Virtue Of Love

By R. C. Sproul on Jul 22, 2022

From God’s perspective, love is the chief of all virtues. But what is love?

Scripture: Romans 5:5-8, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, Matthew 5:48, 1 John 4:7-8

Tags: Love, Compassion, unity, Spiritual Gifts, Body of Christ, Selflessness, imitating Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Your Great Preaching Is Not Going To Build Your Church!

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 12, 2022

Get out of the office, pastor, and knock on some doors. Later, you can get your people to do it. But first, you do it. Do it by yourself, if you must. Or take someone with you. Do it by appointment or cold-turkey. But do it. That is as profound a way as I know to build a great church.

Tags: Church Growth, Church Attendance, Personal Evangelism, Growth Strategy, Building the Church, Out of the Office, Door to door, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Why People Leave And 3 Ways Pastors Respond

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

In the early days of starting Seacoast, I used to wince when someone asked for an appointment. “Was this another ‘core team member’ hanging up their spurs?”, I’d think to myself.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, Hebrews 10:25

Tags: Church, Church Growth, Connect, Assimilation, Church Practices  (view more)  (view less)

8 Reasons Why Most Churches Never Break The 200 Attendance Mark

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jul 14, 2023

While social media and even traditional media are still preoccupied with mega churches and multi-site churches, the reality is that most churches in North America are quite small.

Tags: leadership, Change, Church Growth, Small Church, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Live And Die By The Numbers

By Lance Witt on Apr 11, 2023

But numbers become a problem in the heart of a pastor when they move from being a point of celebration to becoming the driver of our motivation.

Scripture: Acts 2:47

Tags: motivation, Church Growth, success in ministry, intimacy with Christ

6 Brain Barriers To Healthy Church Change

By Charles Stone on Oct 19, 2023

Leaders often run into invisible brain barriers when they attempt change. Ignoring them can slow or stonewall a progress.

Tags: leadership, Change, Personal Growth, Overcoming Barriers, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)