In Preaching Articles: "Walking Wisely"

What Great Sermons Leave Out

By Ron Edmondson on Jul 14, 2020

Great sermons are not defined by how much is said, but by what is wisely left out. Clarity, restraint, and respect for listeners matter.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 10:19, Matthew 5:37, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Homiletics, preaching

Piper: 8 Guidelines For Tough Leadership Decisions

By John Piper on Mar 28, 2025

Major ministry decisions require prayer, Scripture, deep thinking, and careful writing if leaders are to act wisely and in unity for the sake of the mission.

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-3, Joshua 1:8, James 1:5, Proverbs 16:3, Acts 6:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Biblical Leadership

10 Creative Ways To Use The Bible In Counseling

By Elias Moitinho on Mar 12, 2025

Scripture is living and effective. With wise assessment and thoughtful methods, pastors can use the Bible creatively to guide, shape, and encourage those they counsel.

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12, Deuteronomy 2:25

Tags: Scripture Application

The Art Of Creating Change In Your Church

By John Bisagno on Aug 7, 2024

Change is necessary, but rushed change destroys churches. Wise pastors lead with patience, clarity, vision, and Spirit-led timing, not reaction or pressure.

Scripture: Proverbs 15:22, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Acts 20:28, Matthew 9:14-17, 1 Corinthians 14:40  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Vision Casting

Why Strategic Guest Speakers Can Spark Evangelism And Church Growth

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 9, 2023

High-profile guests can motivate invitations, attract visitors, reengage lapsed members, and strengthen systems when used wisely and sparingly.

Scripture: John 4:29, Luke 14:23, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Acts 13:44, Matthew 5:16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Christianity, Church Growth, Guest speaker, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

25 Truths This Preacher Needs To Fight The Enemy's Lies

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 21, 2021

"The things you need to hear repeatedly in your walk will probably vary from mine, but these are truths I cling to."

Tags: World, Truth, Preaching, Culture, enemy's lies  (view more)  (view less)

2 Rules For Transparency In The Pulpit

By Brady Boyd on Feb 21, 2025

Pastors should be honest, but honesty must be wise. True vulnerability builds hope, not confusion, and protects both the flock and loved ones from harm.

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Tags: Preaching, Honesty, Authenticity, Struggles, Transparency, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

5 Right And Wrong Ways To Deal With Criticism

By Ron Edmondson on Mar 21, 2025

Criticism is inevitable in leadership. Here are five wrong responses to avoid and five wise practices that help leaders learn, grow, and steward feedback well.

Scripture: Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 19:20, James 1:19, Ecclesiastes 7:5

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Criticism, Confidence, evaluation, criticism, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

10 Ways To Know Someone Is Leaving Your Church

By Brian Dodd on May 11, 2020

Churches lose people, but wise leaders spot warning signs early. This guide outlines practical indicators that someone is drifting and how to reconnect proactively.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Galatians 6:1-2, Acts 20:28

Tags: shepherding, Shepherding

How Does A Pastor Know When It's Time To Make Changes In His Church

By Brian Croft on Sep 15, 2023

Whatever you do, choose battles wisely as if you will be at that church ten years or more. That will give you a different perspective and will help you be patient.

Tags: Wisdom, leadership, Change, Sacrificial love, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

My Joy In The Desert

By Marshall Segal on Jul 6, 2021

For most of us, the single greatest threat to our faith in God and his promises has been the miles we have walked in the desert.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-13, 1 Peter 1:3

Tags: Desert, Joy, desert lessons

5 Ways To Shorten Your Sermon

By Peter Mead on Aug 20, 2024

Preaching time is limited, and sermons easily expand. These practical tips show how to trim intros, illustrations, context, conclusions, and post-sermon elements wisely.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:4, Ecclesiastes 5:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Edit, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Matter In Preaching: Learning From Jesus’ Use Of Parables

By Leslie Holmes on Jan 15, 2024

Parables and illustrations bring preaching to life. These seven tests help pastors use stories wisely to clarify truth, reduce resistance, and make sermons memorable.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Psalm 78:2, Luke 8:10  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Expository Preaching, expository preaching

Why Preparing Sermons Takes Me So Long

By Joe Mckeever on Jul 31, 2020

A candid walk through sermon preparation, showing how prayer, Bible study, reflection, and disciplined refinement shape faithful and Spirit-led preaching.

Scripture: Exodus 14:8-14

Tags: Teaching, Study, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, preparation, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, Sermon Preparation, bible study, preaching, teaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

4 Ways To Approach Unsaved Church Members

By Brian Croft on Jul 24, 2024

Pastors often meet sincere people who desire church membership but show little grasp of the gospel. This article offers four pastoral principles for wise, patient discernment.

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17

Tags: Discernment, Local Church Leadership