In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Growth"

Pit Stops Required - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 13, 2023

Leaders who stay spiritually healthy long term are those who learn this sacred rhythm of advance and retreat.

Tags: Retreat, rhythm, Solitude, Rest, Disciplines Silence  (view more)  (view less)

The Call No One Wants To Get - Part 1

By Lance Witt on Sep 25, 2023

One of the spiritual questions every ministry leader must answer is, “Am I willing to serve in obscurity?”

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Tags: Faith, obscurity, Cost of Discipleship, success in ministry

Search And Rescue

By Lance Witt on Oct 23, 2023

Outside the walls of your church, there is a spiritual harvest waiting to be reaped. Like Jesus, we must be broken for the broken.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Tags: Evangelism, Reconciliation, pastoral leadership, Reaching out, To be disabled, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

When Church Members Leave: How Pastors Carry The Quiet Wound

By Greg Surratt on Apr 29, 2020

Pastors feel deep pain when people leave their church. Understanding why it happens and how to respond wisely can turn hurt into growth, humility, and renewed strength.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:25-35, John 6:66-67, Proverbs 19:11, Romans 12:18, 2 Timothy 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

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

Answering Claims That The Bible Contains Errors, And Why It Matters That It Doesn’t

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 22, 2022

I’m reminded of what the Huguenots said of the Bible and its critics: “Hammer away ye hostile hands; your hammers break, God’s Anvil stands.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: study bible, defending the gospel, guard the truth, Be prepared, spiritual knowledge, Apologetics, Biblical truth, inerrant  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching Real Gospel Change In A World Obsessed With Self-Improvement

By Ed Stetzer on Jan 7, 2025

True transformation is not moral effort but new life in Christ. Preachers must translate “change” into gospel terms, clarifying how God recreates, reshapes, and renews His people.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:7

Tags: Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Change, Transformation, counsel, preaching, church  (view more)  (view less)

The Battle Against Burnout

By Peter Walters on Feb 9, 2022

I think we don’t take seriously enough the fact that taking care of our bodies is a spiritual issue.

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:4-6, Mark 6:31, Leviticus 25:4, Exodus 20:8, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Proverbs 23:2, 1 Corinthians 6:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Body Temple, Rest, Commandments Sabbath, Pastoral Character

5 Marks Of A Mature Leader

By Brandon Cox on Jul 3, 2024

Your body’s physical maturity typically peaks in early adulthood, but your spiritual maturity will keep growing even into eternity.

Tags: church leadership, Leadership Traits, Humble, godly character, Godly Leaders, Leadership Listening, Encourage Others, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Principles For Pastors Leading Plateaued Churches

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 13, 2022

Many churches plateau, but pastors don’t have to. These ten principles guide leaders toward renewal through prayer, humility, small improvements, and practical, Spirit-led steps.

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Fail, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, shepherding, Pastor, Leadership, Shepherding, church, Pastoral Leadership, Plateaue, Ministry Health  (view more)  (view less)

10 Things Healthy Churches Do Well

By Joe Mckeever on Jan 24, 2025

Whether we are a critic or a lover of the church — or for some of us, both — it's important to remain balanced.

Scripture: Acts 6:1-7

Tags: Church Growth, Healthy Church, Pastors, CHURCH LIFE, Church General, Accept  (view more)  (view less)

10 Global Churches Larger Than America's Largest

By James O. Davis on Jun 5, 2020

In the last six years, the Global Church has witnessed more than 1.4 million new church plants with more than 250 million coming to Christ. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ is growing faster than any other time in history.

Scripture: Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20

Tags: Evangelism, Church, Leader, Missions, Global, Church Growth, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Top 13 Preaching Mistakes

By Bob Hostetler on Jan 13, 2025

A practical guide outlining 13 common preaching mistakes, with tips to avoid them and deliver sermons that are clear, Christ-centered, and spiritually nourishing.

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching tips, Pastoral Ministry, Expository Preaching, Sermon Preparation, preaching, expository preaching, sermon preparation, Preaching Tips  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching That Transforms Lives—it Can Be Done—8 Ways To Start

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 8, 2023

"It's an issue that leaders and followers alike must wrestle through: How do I live out the spiritual transformation that has occurred in me?"

Scripture: James 1:1-15, Judges 11:1-20

Tags: Preaching, renewal, Transformation, Surrender, diligence, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

16 Tips For Better Easter Impact

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 1, 2021

Practical advice to take full advantage of this once-a-year opportunity--this year, and in years to come.

Tags: Easter, Outreach, New, Church Growth, Impact, preaching tips, Easter Palm Sunday  (view more)  (view less)

4 Thoughts On Finding A Mentor

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 25, 2024

"I have had many mentors who have invested deeply in my life. I am who I am partly because of the intentionality of others pouring into my life. They have made me a better leader, better husband, father, friend, and person."

Scripture: Proverbs 15:22

Tags: Personal Growth, Mentor, Godly Leaders, mentoring, personal holiness, Disciple, Character, Grow  (view more)  (view less)