In Preaching Articles: "Sticks And Stones Part 2"

7 Things Preachers Never Say – Pt.2

By Peter Mead on May 8, 2024

This series looks at seven things preachers never say. Last time we thought about the burden of expectation. How about this for another: The negative outcomes of both criticism and apathy.

Tags: Criticism, Apathy, Gossip, slander, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Negative Response, Backbiting, criticism  (view more)  (view less)

Top 10 Tips For Handling Church Critics

By Charles Stone on Aug 9, 2024

Charles Stone encourages pastors to use discernment when receiving criticism with these ten tips.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How Long Should It Take To Prepare Your Sermon?

By Charles Stone on Oct 29, 2019

How could there be only one answer? Charles Stone suggests five factors to consider.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17

Tags: Schedule, Study, Preaching

Words Create Worlds… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Aug 17, 2023

As a leader, your words carry more weight and they have more staying power. Your words get amplified and magnified.

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 16:24, Proverbs 12:25, Matthew 3:17, Proverbs 18:20, Proverbs 25:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Influence, kind words, Blessing Others, Encouraging Others

A Risk Worth Taking Part Ii

By Leigh Ann Carey Looyenga on Dec 27, 2023

The first step in practically engaging Sabbath rest is getting rid of our narrow and legalistic views of the day.

Scripture: Mark 2:27-28, Psalm 112:1, John 10:10, Mark 3:1-4

Tags: Sunday, Sabbath, Saturday, legalism vs grace, New Year's Reflection, intimacy with Christ  (view more)  (view less)

Pit Stops Required- Part 1

By Lance Witt on Sep 12, 2023

Many pastors and ministry leaders soar through life at breakneck speed. They give every outward appearance of being on course, cruising on autopilot.

Scripture: Proverbs 14:18

Tags: Prudence, Time of Reflection, New Year's Reflection, avoiding burnout

The Word Nobody Likes… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 17, 2024

A couple of years ago I had the chance to sit down with a former staff member that had served on my team more than a decade ago. We really hadn’t kept in touch very much. At one point during our lunch the conversation turned more serious. And in a moment of candor he said to me “You know, you weren’t very easy to work for.” The truth is, he was right.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:5-6, Galatians 2:11-13

Tags: Humility, leadership, Accountability, Rebuke, Teachable, pastoral leadership, unteachable spirit, Pastoral Ministry, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

I Preached 98 Times In 2 Years. Is That Too Much?

By Josh Reich on Sep 27, 2025

How many times per year do you preach? How many times SHOULD you?

Tags: Preaching, calendar, preaching

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

Building Preacher-Listener Connection – Part 1

By Peter Mead on Apr 22, 2024

People can usually sense if you are not being genuine.

Tags: relationships, Confess Sin, God's Word, Genuine Faith

Being A Pastor: Blessing Or Burden? Part 1

By Lance Witt on Apr 29, 2024

How do you not let the burden of ministry not rob you of the blessing of ministry?

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-3, Exodus 28:29, Philippians 1:7

Tags: Humility, Stewardship, Shepherd, Organize, Jesus' church  (view more)  (view less)

Will The Real Jesus Stand Up? Part 1

By Lance Witt on Dec 28, 2023

"It may be that the great sin of the church in our generation is the trivializing of God. The Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of deity dwells, is not to be boxed in, airbrushed, made over, tamed, explained or explained away. I am deeply convinced that the way you live will be a direct consequence of how you see God."

Scripture: Hebrews 12:28-29, Colossians 1:15-17, Jeremiah 23:23

Tags: Jesus is Lord, Deity of Christ, christian testimony, authority of Christ, Identity of Christ, False View of God, God of the Bible  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Believe In Miracles? Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jun 11, 2024

How do you define a "win" in ministry?

Tags: leadership, success, goals, pastoral leadership, success in ministry, church ministry, Mental Toughness, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Thinking About Expository Preaching—part 1

By Ed Stetzer on Mar 2, 2022

Expository is the best form of preaching, except for the other good styles, too.

Tags: pastor, Preacher, sermon prep, sermon, Expository Preaching, Pastor, Sermon Prep, Sermon, preacher, expository preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

Thinking About Expository Preaching—part 3

By Ed Stetzer on Mar 16, 2022

A look at the place of thematic, narrative, and topical preaching.

Scripture: Matthew 4:23

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Expository, preaching, teaching, expository  (view more)  (view less)