In Preaching Articles: "True Success"

3 Ways Great Leaders Handle Tough Circumstances Differently

By Carey Nieuwhof on Dec 7, 2023

If you want to imitate the great leaders when you face challenging situations, do these three things.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:11, Psalm 62:5, Philippians 3:12

Tags: leadership, success, Obstacles, opposition, pastoral leadership, church leadership, Tough Circumstances, Mindset, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

The Curse Of Competition

By Lance Witt on Mar 25, 2021

Here is what I know to be true about competitiveness in my own life. It usually has to do with Outward Validation vs. Inward Validation. If I am honest, a spirit of competition and comparison has to do with me and my need to feel significant and successful. My own insecurity drives me to posture and protect. It drives me to compare and compete.

Tags:

The Morphing Of Community And Friendship

By Steve Smith on May 1, 2022

True friendship and community must be reciprocal.

Tags: Community, Trust, friendship, friendships, community  (view more)  (view less)

My First Year Ministry Mistakes

By Josh Tandy on Jul 1, 2020

Seminary didn’t prepare me for ministry reality. These early mistakes taught me more than success ever could.

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-13, Proverbs 11:14, Hebrews 13:17, Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 4:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Leadership Mistakes

Is Your Preaching Missing This Key Component?

By Lance Witt on Jan 6, 2021

As a pastor I am embarrassed to admit this, but prayer has often been a struggle for me. And yet, it is crucial to our success in preaching.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Tags:

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 15, 2022

Pastoral calling can fade under pressure, success, or discouragement. This reflection uncovers why ministers lose sight of their call and how to remember it again.

Tags: Church, Call, pastor, Pastors, Small Church, Church General, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Does Your Preaching Prepare People For God's Kingdom?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 29, 2025

We often fall into the trap of preaching designed to merely provide tools to become more successful in this present world rather than becoming ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, prepare, Confront, God's Kingdom, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Passion, Prayer, And Planning Ministry: Building The Nehemiah Way

By Todd Brown on Mar 10, 2022

Working with hundreds of churches over the last 35 years, I have observed three common elements of successful building programs and all three are characteristics displayed by quality leaders.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13

Tags: Nehemiah, Prayer, strategy, Church Building

Keeping Your Preaching Fresh

By Lance Witt on Sep 23, 2022

“Everything worthwhile is uphill. Everything that is valuable, you have to work for. No one ever coasted their way to success. Most people have uphill hopes but have downhill habits.”

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, hard work, Preaching Help, Pastoral Ministry, Powerful Preaching, effective preaching, Never Stop Learning, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

By Dr. Scott M. Gibson on Oct 24, 2019

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem.

Scripture: Micah 7:1-15

Tags: Grace, Truth, Preaching, communicate, tone  (view more)  (view less)

Why Great Preachers Are Not Always Great Leaders

By Adrian Pei on Oct 11, 2020

Confessing weaknesses can impress a crowd, but true leadership maturity requires repentance, accountability, and real change.

Scripture: Matthew 21:28-31, James 1:22, 1 Samuel 16:7, Proverbs 27:6, 2 Corinthians 7:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Humility, leadership, Preaching, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

6 Guidelines For Preaching To Postmoderns

By Rich Nathan on Jun 3, 2021

The message may be timeless, but the way we communicate must be flexible while remaining true to the biblical view.

Tags: Message, Preaching, communicate, postmodern

The One Time Jesus Prayed For You (Part 2)

By Lance Witt on Apr 3, 2024

“What does true “unity” look like practically? If Jesus’ prayer was answered, what would be the evidence?”

Scripture: Romans 12:10, Acts 4:32-35

Tags: Generosity, christian unity, Church Unity, local church purpose

From Information To Invitation

By David Fitch on Oct 28, 2021

True preaching does more than inform minds; it confronts lives. It collapses distance and summons hearers into surrender.

Scripture: Revelation 20:15, Nehemiah 8:8, Acts 2:36-37, Romans 10:9, James 1:22  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Affirmation, Proclamation, Feedback, compliment, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Are You A Well-Defined Leader?

By John Holm on Jul 18, 2021

"I've rarely coached someone who decided that more knowledge or more skill would help them become a successful leader. Instead, what they needed to learn was more about themselves."

Tags: Leader, Character, define, Leadership General