In Preaching Articles: "Spiritual Vitality"

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

Small church growth stalls for reasons deeper than numbers. These ten barriers reveal why congregations stay stuck and how leaders can pursue renewed health and mission.

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

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, Church Health, Small Church, Church Practices, pastoral leadership, spiritual vitality, Pastor, church, Pastoral Leadership, Small Church Growth, Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Vitality  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Loitering

By Lance Witt on Mar 29, 2023

Even though Easter was just a few days ago, it is likely that you have quickly moved on to the next “thing”. But I want to challenge you to not move on too quickly. I’m sure there are some stories and God moments from this past weekend that are worth lingering over. As pastors we need to do a better job with the discipline of “spiritual loitering”.

Scripture: Psalm 111:4, Psalm 143:5

Tags: Remember, inner peace, good work

The Spiritual Discipline Of Anticipation

By Lance Witt on May 25, 2022

Let me ask you, what are you trusting God for? Where are you practicing the spiritual discipline of anticipation?

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20

Tags: Preaching, anticipation, active faith, Possible with God, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Oil Crisis

By Lance Witt on Oct 22, 2022

What are you trusting God for? What are attempting for God’s glory that requires faith? Sadly, the more years people serve in ministry, the less risk-taking faith they demonstrate. We can begin to rely on our experience, our skills, and our planning to win the day. Yet, without faith it is impossible to please God.

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Hebrews 11:6

Tags: Daring Faith, ministry, Ministry, Trust, Elisha, relying on god, Risk taking, church leadership, Faith  (view more)  (view less)

Spiritual Disciplines And The Sinkhole Syndrome

By Donald Whitney on Jan 22, 2022

As the pressures of life increase and more deadlines loom, it becomes harder to maintain time for the devotional life. And herein is where the erosion begins.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12, John 17:17, Luke 4:16, Matthew 14:23

Tags: Follow Jesus, Spiritual Maturity, Spiritual Discipline, Spiritual Failures, sermon spiritual  (view more)  (view less)

A Renewed Mind: The Practice Of Humble Thought

By Robert A. Fryling on Jan 4, 2025

Robert Fryling explores the human mind as a vital partner to the body and spirit in spiritual growth and renewal.

Scripture: Luke 10:27, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Peter 3:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Thought, Humility, Preaching, pastor, devotion, original sin, Mind, Christian Disciplines, Pastor, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Really Makes A Spiritual Leader?

By Bob Hamp on Apr 5, 2023

Spiritual leaders influence more than they direct, and they inspire more than they instruct.

Tags: Power, leadership, Counselor, Leadership General, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Your Pulpit Is A Place Of Spiritual Warfare

By Peter Mead on Jun 30, 2021

There's no need to be paranoid, but there's no reason to be ignorant, either.

Tags: ignorant, paranoid, preaching, Spiritual Warfare, Preaching, pulpit  (view more)  (view less)

Your Best Response To A Spiritual Attack

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 15, 2022

If you’re in the Kingdom, you’re in a battle.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Prayer, pressure, prayer warrior

11 Times When Preaching Hurts More Than It Helps

By Joseph Mattera on Feb 8, 2024

Preaching is vital to God's purposes--that's why we must get it right.

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-15

Tags: preaching, Hurt, Preaching, Purpose, help, Vital  (view more)  (view less)

7 Vital Ingredients In Any Preaching Calendar

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 18, 2020

Investing a few more hours three months in advance, or a few weeks in advance will increase the quality of your preaching moment.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Three Root Causes Of Stalled Spiritual Transformation

By Thom Rainer on Mar 5, 2020

Why does spiritual growth sometimes stall out in believers? Thom Rainer offers his view and solutions from a study of the Corinthian church.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Tags: Spirit, Church, Growth, Discipleship, Preaching, Transformation, Growth in Christ  (view more)  (view less)

3 Spiritual Lessons From Jonathan Edwards

By Kyle Strobel on Jun 7, 2025

If they were important to Jonathan Edwards, they should be important to you!

Tags: carnal vs spiritual, jonathan edwards, preaching, Preaching, practice  (view more)  (view less)

4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect

By Charles Stone on Nov 16, 2023

What spiritual disciplines might you be neglecting?

Tags: Spiritual Discipline, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership, leadership, Submission, confession, Solitude, Christian Disciplines, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

8 Vital Statistics You Should Track Every Week

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 17, 2025

Thom Rainer: "We can never know where the missing sheep are if we are not keeping track of them."

Tags: Preaching, preaching