In Preaching Articles: "Success In Ministry"

Are You Running From Your Calling As A Preacher?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 31, 2023

Some pastors avoid difficult truths in preaching, choosing encouragement over correction. Faithful ministry requires proclaiming the whole counsel of God, even when it is uncomfortable.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:12, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Peter 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, teach, run, Biblical, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

How To Speak To A Hardened Heart With Truth And Grace

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 11, 2021

Preaching to a hardened heart is one of the hardest tasks in ministry. Scripture shows that prayer, humility, and faithful exposition are the most powerful tools God uses to soften hearts.

Scripture: John 16:8, 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Hebrews 4:12, John 17:20, 1 Corinthians 3:7  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, difficult, audience, spiritual growth, preaching, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

Why "Preach Like The Room Is Full" Is Some Of The Worst Advice

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 16, 2025

"Even if only three people show up to church, preach like the room is full!" That's some of the worst advice I've ever received in ministry.

Tags: Preaching, opportunity, full room, terrible advice, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why We Preach: The Call That Won’t Let Us Go

By Leslie Holmes on May 4, 2020

Seminary is long, ministry is hard, and preaching can feel thankless. Yet pastors continue because God’s call compels them in ways nothing else can.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Hebrews 12:2, Romans 10:14-15, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Five Ways Satan Slips Into A Pastor’s Pulpit

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Mar 26, 2025

Pastors rarely fall through dramatic attacks but through subtle lies. These five common tactics reveal how the enemy quietly infiltrates a ministry and how to resist him.

Scripture: 1 John 4:4, 1 Corinthians 12:21, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 6:19-20, Revelation 22:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, Church Leadership

Paul And The Necessity Of The Local Church

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 24, 2020

Claims that Paul operated apart from the local church collapse under Scripture. His life and ministry show that God’s work is rooted in committed church membership.

Scripture: Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:26-28, Galatians 1:11-24, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: local church, Local Church

Are You Guilty Of Pastoral Plagiarism?

By James Emery White on Oct 10, 2020

Borrowing ideas is common in ministry, but passing off another preacher’s words or stories as your own crosses an ethical line. Here’s where that line stands.

Scripture: Exodus 20:15-16, 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:28, Proverbs 12:22

Tags: Preaching, Plagiarism, Homiletics, preaching

New Poll: What's The Average Length Of Sermon Prep?

By SermonCentral .com on Jun 16, 2021

Sermon preparation is one of the most time-consuming and least visible parts of pastoral ministry. Many church members underestimate the hours required to faithfully prepare a single message.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Timothy 4:13-16, Acts 6:4, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Prayer, preparation, average, Prep, Time  (view more)  (view less)

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 11, 2025

Decades of research reveal five church-growth principles—disciple-making, relationships, felt-needs, transitions, and social networks—that help any church engage its community.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Leadership, Congregational Health  (view more)  (view less)

Do We Have To Be Perfect To Preach?

By Dean Shriver on Feb 10, 2025

True preaching power comes not from technique but from integrity. When our lives align with the truth we proclaim, God uses both our words and our example to change lives.

Scripture: John 1:14

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, Pastoral Integrity, Christian Leadership, preaching, Spiritual Formation, Expository Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

How To Be A Strategic Pastor And See Your Church Grow

By Hal Seed on Aug 29, 2022

You make a dozen decisions a day. How do you know what’s the right decision? What moves your church forward? What’s wasting time?

Tags: leadership, strategy, Retreat, Effectiveness, productivity, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

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)

9 Hidden Factors That Impact Your Life And Leadership

By Carey Nieuwhof on Jun 10, 2024

"What hidden factors threaten to make or break you as a leader and as a person?"

Tags: Growth, leadership, sleep, productivity, Rest, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, church leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Pastoring From A Place Of Gratitude

By Lance Witt on May 29, 2024

Does gratitude flavor your life? Are the words that flow from your lips and the thoughts that race through your mind marked by gratitude?

Scripture: Psalm 118:24, Colossians 2:7

Tags: leadership, Thankfulness, gratitude, Grumbling, Ingratitude, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, Evaluate attitude, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher’s Tip: If You Can Keep From Preaching, Do It

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 6, 2020

Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. shares a hard word from a father clarified a calling: true pastoral ministry is not a hobby one can drop but a necessity laid upon the soul.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Jeremiah 20:9, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24, Galatians 1:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, advice, insight, Improve, calling, preaching, Calling  (view more)  (view less)