In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Growth"

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)

Reading Your Bible Relationally

By Lance Witt on Jun 18, 2022

Growing in knowledge is important, but knowledge without relationship is dangerous. That was one of the big issues Jesus had with the Pharisees. They had biblical knowledge but their heart was far from God.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Tags: Scripture, Personal Growth, Quiet time, pastoral leadership

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

Mapping Fault Lines In America | Micah 3

By Jerry Shirley on Aug 8, 2019

In Micah 3, the prophet maps the spiritual fault lines of a nation under judgment. Find what that means for America today, and what God expects from His people.

Scripture: Micah 3:1-12

Tags: America, Hope, corruption, repentance, compromise, Complacency, Spiritual Renewal, Compromise, Corruption, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

Mapping 'fault Lines' In America - Micah 3

By Jerry Shirley on Apr 18, 2023

Ultimately, the hope of America is not found in the White House or the State House, nor in the Courthouse. The hope of America is found in God’s House, and your house, and my house!

Scripture: Micah 3:1-12

Tags: America, Hope, corruption, repentance, compromise, Complacency, Spiritual Renewal, Compromise, Corruption, Repentance  (view more)  (view less)

9 Bad Habits That Limit A Church's Ministry Capacity

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 14, 2024

It’s not about church growth. Or working harder. It’s about doing smarter ministry with our church’s current resources.

Tags: Lay Leadership, hindrances to prayer, ministry vision, Capacity, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Soul Have A Backbone?

By Lance Witt on Aug 7, 2023

Over the last few years my single most consistent prayer has been for spiritual courage.

Tags: suffering, Courage, People pleasing, intimacy with Christ

When (And Why) To Shake Off The Dust And Move On

By Ben Sternke on Aug 15, 2020

We can too easily normalize fruitlessness in the name of faithfulness. There's a big difference.

Tags: Discipleship, Missions, Church Growth, church planting, Evangelism The Lost  (view more)  (view less)

God Seeks People To Worship Him In Spirit And Truth

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 20, 2022

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

Scripture: John 3:6, John 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, John 4:4-6, Proverbs 13:14, John 7:37-39, John 4:14, John 14:26, Matthew 15:8, 1 Thessalonians 1:5  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Gospel of John, Dead in sin, Jesus Teachings, Spirit and Truth, Spiritually Dead, Woman at the well  (view more)  (view less)

Not Every Exhortation Is Necessary

By Peter Mead on May 9, 2024

It is important to discern when an exhortation needs to be given, and when the listener is already aware of their need for growth and working hard by faith to become more like Christ.

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, exhortation, Preaching Help, effective preaching, Effective Teaching, Know your audience, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching Too Deep Or Too Shallow?

By Craig Groeschel on Feb 5, 2025

Craig Groeschel discusses the challenge of preaching with simplicity, practicality, and relevance while remaining spiritual enough to change lives.

Scripture: Hebrews 5:13

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, deep, Prep, Leadership General, e, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Avoid Political Preaching

By Daniel Darling on Mar 20, 2024

To cut and paste partisan talking points or to substitute consistent exegesis with sample "election season" sermons is spiritual malpractice.

Tags: Preaching, Politics, preaching