In Preaching Articles: "What Is The Purpose Of Life"

When In Doubt, Don’t Quit

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 31, 2021

It may be harder to be happy in life and ministry than it’s ever been. From our earliest days, we have lived in an echo chamber, to varying degrees, of the voices of self-actualization. You can do whatever you set your mind to. Pursue your dreams. Find your passion — and make it profitable.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:11, Colossians 4:17

Tags: Service, endurance, passion, Obstacles

Getting Past Your Past

By Lance Witt on Jun 30, 2023

I know that on Sundays we walk into our churches, we smile, we shake hands, and we make nice. We pastor people and we preach from God’s Word. We are very respectable. But I know myself and I’ve worked with pastors way too long to believe that life is that neat and tidy.

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6 Must-Have Qualities You Should Find In Any Good Preacher

By Ben Mandrell on Mar 1, 2019

God has called preachers to be faithful rather than successful. How can we be sure we are staying true to the call? What makes a faithful preacher?

Scripture: Luke 1:46-56

Tags: Study, Preaching, ancient, teach, challenge  (view more)  (view less)

4 Dangerous Preaching Myths

By Brian Orme on Jun 14, 2019

What you think about your preaching while preparing your message might be just as important as the words you say when you deliver it.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

4 Attributes Of Powerful Preaching

By Kevin Deyoung on Jan 29, 2025

Kevin DeYoung presents four qualities of what he calls "truly good preaching–-the kind that resonates with people and the kind God tends to employ."

Scripture: Matthew 7:28-29

Tags: Preaching, Authenticity, Clarity, Veracity, Authority, Leadership General, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Popular Preaching Myths

By Brian Orme on Jan 27, 2024

What you think about your preaching while preparing your message might be just as important as the words you say when you deliver it.

Tags: myth, hinder, preaching, Hurt, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Disciples Or Converts?

By SermonCentral .com on Feb 22, 2024

We should take notice of what Jesus did not say in the Great Commission. He did not say, “Go therefore and make converts of as many people as possible.”

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-18

Tags: Preaching, preaching

5 Qualities To Seek In The Heart Of A Leader

By Ron Edmondson on Jan 29, 2022

Someone asked me recently what I primarily look for in the hiring of a staff position. I said, without reservation, first and foremost, I look for the heart.

Tags: leadership, Integrity, Innovation, pastoral leadership, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

10 Of The Greatest Leadership Questions Ever Asked

By Ron Edmondson on Aug 15, 2022

I have learned in my years of leadership – I only know what I know. And, many times I don’t know much.

Tags: Leadership Listening, Listening, questions

There's Something Wrong With The Pastoral System

By Ray Hollenbach on May 8, 2020

Gordon MacDonald: "I think we probably need to totally re-define what pastors do in leading our contemporary 21st century church."

Tags: leadership, Preaching, training

Answering Claims That The Bible Contains Errors, And Why It Matters That It Doesn’t

By Randy Alcorn on Nov 22, 2022

I’m reminded of what the Huguenots said of the Bible and its critics: “Hammer away ye hostile hands; your hammers break, God’s Anvil stands.”

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: study bible, defending the gospel, guard the truth, Be prepared, spiritual knowledge, Apologetics, Biblical truth, inerrant  (view more)  (view less)

At Least 10 Things Great Churches Are For

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 20, 2021

The church has often, intentionally or not, been branded as a community of people who are angry and therefore are against everything not church-y. This is especially true when we so vocally voice our protests and gang up to boycott every business that doesn’t look conservative-Christian-friendly enough. I’ve listened to too much lately. From all sides. Some opinions I agree with and others I don’t, but what I’ve concluded is ultimately this: If I’m going to be known or listened to, I want it to be because of what I’m FOR, not what I’m against.

Tags: Grace, Community, reputation, church culture, community, grace  (view more)  (view less)

In Recruiting, Don’t Say No For Someone

By Josh Reich on Feb 27, 2021

What happens then is the leader says no for the person without giving them a chance to say yes or no. Would that person say no? I have no idea and neither do you.

Tags: Preaching, Recruiting

The 4 Most Overlooked Realities Of A Healthy Church Turnaround

By SermonCentral .com on Aug 13, 2022

Many pastors say “I want this church to turn around”, when what we really mean is “I want this church to get bigger.” Those are two different goals.

Tags: Church, church

How To Tell If A New Volunteer Is Truly A Leader (Or Simply A Doer)

By Carey Nieuwhof on May 10, 2024

"I recently surveyed 1400 small and mid-sized church pastors to find out what they struggle with most as their church grows. They overwhelmingly identified developing leaders as their top challenge."

Tags: Leadership, Volunteer, church ministry, obstacles to growth, Barriers to Growth, Growing a Church, Leaders vs Doers, leadership, Church Growth  (view more)  (view less)