In Preaching Articles: "Up Lift"

5 Signs That You Need To Quit Something

By Charles Stone on Nov 29, 2023

Quitters never win and winners never quit was drilled into my mind at an early age. I believed it. I practiced it. I lived it. I only quit one thing in my life before age 18, my high school football team. I quit because I sat on the bench 99.976% of the time. Since, then, however, I’ve questioned the veracity of that phrase, as catchy as it may sound.

Tags: strategy, Overwhelmed, Busyness, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, giving up, quitting, Saying no  (view more)  (view less)

Jesus Didn’t Wake Up This Morning Depressed By The Size Of Your Church

By Karl Vaters on Apr 18, 2022

Jesus knows what happened and didn’t happen in church last Sunday.

Tags: Depression, Marriage Faithfulness, Church Attendance, God's perspective, e, church attendance  (view more)  (view less)

Without Accountability, Confession And Friendship, ‘we’re Going To End Up Out Of Ministry’

By Michael Duduit on Jan 28, 2022

My friend Clayton King, who has never served as a senior pastor (and had not expected to), suddenly found himself leading one of the nation’s largest congregations as interim pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina.

Scripture: James 5:16

Tags: Spiritual Warfare, Isolation, Leadership General, pastoral leadership

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 4—free Up Working Memory (Capacity)

By Charles Stone on May 27, 2024

Free up Working Memory is the fourth installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Tags: Preaching, memory, sermon, Capacity, Sermon, neuroscience, preaching, sermonprep, capacity  (view more)  (view less)

4 Remedies For Discouragement In Your Preaching

By Erik Raymond on Apr 3, 2025

Pastors often feel ineffective, but Christ’s resurrection guarantees their preaching matters. Lift your eyes, pray, delight in grace, and keep proclaiming Christ.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 12:23, 1 Corinthians 15:14, 1 Corinthians 15:20, 2 Corinthians 4:5

Tags: Trust, Perseverance, Hope, Preaching, Discouragement, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Your Preaching God-Centered?

By Bernie Van Eyk on Sep 11, 2024

People crave practical help, but their deepest need is God Himself. God-centered preaching lifts hearts from self to the glory revealed in Jesus Christ.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:4, Genesis 1:1, Psalm 73:17-26, John 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, spiritual formation, preaching, Spiritual Formation

When People Make Up Stories About You: A Pastor’s Guide To Handling Labels

By Charles Stone on Jul 31, 2024

Pastors are often misunderstood and mischaracterized. Responding with wisdom, restraint, and Christlike character helps transform false stories into God-honoring ones.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:12

Tags: Church Relationships

Pastoral Transition: Setting Your Church Up For Ministry Success After You're Gone

By Karl Vaters on Oct 20, 2023

Following a long-term, successful pastorate is one of the hardest callings in ministry. Every pastor should do everything we can to make it as easy as possible for the next pastor and the church to do great ministry after we leave.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-12

Tags: leadership, servant leadership, Pastoral Transition, Decentralize, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Preaching When Times Are Tight

By David R. Stokes on Mar 30, 2020

When finances shake confidence and fear grows, preaching must lift weary hearts toward Heaven, reminding them of the unshakable kingdom God has prepared.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1

Tags: Spiritual Renewal

Are You Willing To Be Misunderstood -- From The Pulpit?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 22, 2024

Sherman Cox takes up Will Willimon's challenge to preachers everywhere.

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-13

Tags: Gospel, Preaching, Relevance, Confront, will willimon, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight

By Rick Malm on Mar 2, 2023

One acronym, four great suggestions to buff up your message.

Scripture: Daniel 3:1-15

Tags: Hope, Preaching, storytelling, topic, preaching, Spit Shine  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Preaching Errors We Can All Avoid

By Jared Moore on Aug 7, 2025

Bad habits creep up softly. Have any of these slipped into your preaching?

Tags: Preaching, neglect, error, avoid, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

12 Things Tedx Speakers Do That Preachers Don't

By Nicholas Mcdonald on Aug 31, 2021

"How in the world do each of these talks end up consistently blowing me away?"

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Preaching, Respect, structure, speaker

If You Mix The Matters, Your Preaching Won't Matter

By Peter Mead on Jun 1, 2023

Four aspects of preaching sound the same, but they are radically different. Do you mix them up?

Tags: Preaching, Difference, focus, matter, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Bible Reading Is Down At Your Church

By Peter Mead on Jul 11, 2025

The most recent research presents troubling results. How does your church measure up?

Tags: Bible, Study, Preaching, Isolation, fragment, e, preaching, bible  (view more)  (view less)