In Preaching Articles: "Why Pain"

Why Good Sermons Can Be Boring

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 14, 2025

You brought a sermon you knew beyond a doubt was from the Lord and inspired of God.Halfway through, you could sense the congregation’s minds wandering. How could this happen?

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why I Hate The Word Balance

By Lance Witt on May 30, 2023

A life of balance has always seemed like a “pipe dream”, something that just wasn’t realistic or attainable. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever had a moment of balance in my entire life. I can’t think of a single moment when every area of my life and ministry were “spinning” smoothly.

Scripture: Mark 10:46

Tags: Pastors, rhythm, emotional health

Why So Long? A Missions Story

By Evy Yohner on May 21, 2022

These stories are like rare pearls, collecting from a way of “doing” missions no longer done, when intrepid men and women sacrificed everything to obey God’s voice.

Tags: great commission, lessons from history, international, god's mission

Why Do Christians Love The Law?

By Rev. Burk Parsons on Jun 22, 2022

Why would anyone love the law of God?

Scripture: Matthew 28:20, Romans 7:22, Matthew 5:17, Psalm 119:72

Tags: Righteousness, Theology, God's Law, obedience of faith

Remember This Christmas Season, There Is Always, Always Hope!

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 7, 2023

Jesus knows you. He knows your pain and your problems and your potential.

Scripture: Romans 4:18

Tags: Christmas, Advent, Hope, Christmas Advent

3 Reasons Why I Give My Listeners Homework (And Why You Should, Too)

By Ray Hollenbach on Oct 21, 2025

When we ask something more of our congregation we will quickly discover whether we are preaching for spiritual entertainment or spiritual formation.

Tags: Discipleship

Christmas: The Dawn Of Death’s Destruction

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 19, 2020

John Piper helps connect the pain of the holidays--felt by so many--to the preacher's task.

Tags: Christmas, Death, Jesus, destruction

How Vulnerable Is Your Preaching?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 21, 2019

It's alright to allow your own pains and hurts to show. If Jesus could, then we can.

Tags: preaching, Preaching, vulnerable, sherman cox

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

How To Build A Healthy Elder Team

By Josh Reich on Apr 25, 2022

If there is one thing pastors know well, it is the pain that can stem from a poorly run elder team.

Tags: Eldership, Elders Church, elders, Elder Qualification

Why Small Churches Don’t Grow

By Joe Mckeever on Sep 21, 2024

Small church growth stalls for reasons deeper than numbers. These ten barriers reveal why congregations stay stuck and how leaders can pursue renewed health and mission.

Scripture: John 13:35, Psalm 85:6, Luke 11:1-2

Tags: Church, Outreach, pastor, Church Growth, Health, Fail, church, Pastoral Leadership, Small Church Growth, Congregational Renewal, Spiritual Vitality, Church Health, Small Church, Church Practices, pastoral leadership, spiritual vitality, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 16, 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, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout  (view more)  (view less)

12 Reasons Why Church Membership Matters

By Jonathan Leeman on Mar 1, 2025

Jonathan Leeman: "Membership is the church’s affirmation that you are a citizen of Christ’s kingdom and therefore a card-carrying Jesus Representative before the nations."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:20

Tags: Preaching, Membership, preaching

Why I Pace Before I Preach

By Walter Wangerin Jr. on May 1, 2020

On the night before I preach, I pace—back and forth in my room, mumbling sermonic thoughts, testing them, scorning a hundred thoughts, exulting in one or two that shine like coin, investing those.

Tags: Preaching, preparation, preaching

Why Pastors Should Bless Interracial Marriage

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 9, 2023

John Piper offers wisdom for handling the issue of interracial marriage with a strong biblical perspective.

Tags: Marriage, leadership, Preaching, race, racism, interracial, Leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)