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

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 8—reinforce Life Application (Transfer)

By Charles Stone on Jan 4, 2024

Reinforce Life Application is the final instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: James 1:22

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, preacher, church, Sermon prep, Preacher, sermon prep, Pastor, Sermon Prep, neuroscience, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What Small Groups Do Best...and What They Don't

By Glenn Packiam on Jul 7, 2023

Small groups are a perfect example of how pastors may learn from researchers. At many church conferences, pastors speak confidently of their latest, greatest small group model, sure that it is the new breakthrough in discipleship.

Tags: Outreach, Learning, relationships, Church Small Groups

Eight Reflections On 40 Years Of Marriage

By Thom Rainer on Nov 25, 2022

I want to share with you readers eight of the most powerful lessons I have learned in 40 years of marriage.

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness, Lessons in life, marriage and family, blessing children, Marriage, Thankfulness, Personal Life, Marriage Commitment  (view more)  (view less)

Why Pastors Shouldn't Read Anonymous Notes

By David Whiting on Dec 24, 2021

Pastors and church leaders often receive anonymous comments, mysteriously appearing in the church office,the offering plate, or the “comments” section of the Sunday communication card.A few years ago, I stopped reading them. They don’t even get passed onto me. Asa church leader, I recommend that you do the same thing.

Tags: leadership, Boundaries, ignore, influences in life, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Journey In The Dark

By Peter Mead on Jan 14, 2022

God delights to transform lives. There are many ways to depict this journey of transformation, but let’s focus on one example from the Old Testament.

Scripture: Psalm 131:1-3, Psalm 130:1-8

Tags: Psalms, Transformation, transformed life, Christian Maturity

When I Don't Feel Successful

By Rev J.r. Vassar on Mar 21, 2022

From small mistakes to colossal meltdowns, we are all too familiar with the pain and shame of failure.

Scripture: Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:8

Tags: failure, idolatry, Success In Life, success in ministry

What Are We Doing When We Preach? What Are We Aiming For?

By Peter Mead on Aug 1, 2023

What are we doing when we preach? What are we aiming for?

Tags: Preaching, Intimacy With God, preaching Christ, intimacy with Christ, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Just What Is Pulpit Plagiarism?

By Ron Forseth on Jan 1, 2024

A thoughtful look at plagiarism, quotation, and citation in preaching, showing how conscience, diligence, and trust shape ethical and faithful sermon use.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 10:29

Tags: Preaching, Character, Integrity, Honesty, Plagiarism, Homiletics, Pastoral Integrity, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation, Sermon Plagiarism, Preaching Ethics  (view more)  (view less)

What Makes A Sermon Good?

By Duane K Kelderman on Aug 2, 2024

Preachers and churches run into trouble when they forget that preaching is first and foremost a proclamation of Scripture.

Scripture: Ruth 3:1-10, 1 Chronicles 1:1

Tags: Preaching, preaching

What Pastors Are Trying To Do

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 16, 2022

The church member stares and wonders what’s going on and why you’re making so much noise until the day he/she meets Jesus.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:6, 1 Timothy 5:17

Tags: Follow Jesus, preaching Christ, Faithfulness, Transformation

What A Seminary Degree Will Not Do

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 22, 2023

“I have all this education and training. Why won’t churches call me as pastor?”

Tags: Angry with God, education, Seminary, Christian Education, calling, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, training  (view more)  (view less)

What To Do With Information Overload

By Ron Edmondson on Oct 25, 2022

"One struggle I’ve witnessed consistently with leaders – including this one – is we drown in information overload. There are more good ideas than we can ever implement."

Tags: pastoral leadership, leadership capacity, good leadership, Leadership, Technology, leadership, organization, effective, productivity  (view more)  (view less)

3 Building Blocks Of A Truly Memorable Sermon

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 26, 2023

Help your listeners connect with your preaching points--and their purpose!

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Tags: strong points, illustrate, preaching, Preaching, Building Blocks, memorable sermon  (view more)  (view less)

Can I Preach It If I Haven't Mastered It?

By Ron Edmondson on Apr 5, 2025

Should pastors preach on topics where they have no life experience or areas they haven't yet mastered?

Tags: Teaching, Trust, Preaching, preaching, teaching, Life Experience  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Going To Do Church That Way, Do It Well

By Karl Vaters on Nov 30, 2023

Churches don’t become great by adding more programs. They get better at the ones they already have.

Tags: liturgy, Denomination, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, church leadership, People Over Programs, Form and Substance, Do What's right, e  (view more)  (view less)