In Preaching Articles:

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

By Karl Vaters on Nov 29, 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)

5 Signs That You Need To Quit Something

By Charles Stone on Nov 28, 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: Pastoral Ministry, giving up, quitting, Saying no, strategy, Overwhelmed, Busyness, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Liquid Teams

By Lance Witt on Nov 27, 2023

What are the makings of an exceptional team?

Scripture: Ephesians 4:16

Tags: Leadership, team building, pastoral leadership, church ministry, church leadership, Team Dynamics, e, leadership, strategy, Teamwork  (view more)  (view less)

Success Is Never About Defeating The Giants

By Brandon Cox on Nov 26, 2023

Success isn’t about beating giants. It’s about building a life that grows through trials and challenges.

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Tags: Facing Giants, church ministry, success, goals, achievement, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry, success in ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Alan Hirsch: The Great Commission Isn't Just About Evangelism

By SermonCentral .com on Nov 24, 2023

Alan Hirsch's shocking observation might just influence the way you preach in the coming year.

Scripture: Acts 1:8

Tags: Evangelism, Preaching, Influence, great commission, Last Words of Jesus, alan hirsch, evangelism, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

If You're Preaching A Thanksgiving Service, Try These Two Tips

By David J. Lose on Nov 23, 2023

This is the way thanksgiving always works--in giving thanks for a gift given, we are blessed again.

Scripture: John 4:12-15, Isaiah 26:1-4

Tags: gratitude, preach, preaching, Thanksgiving, Luke, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Have You Preached The Five Blessings That Flow From Thanksgiving?

By J. John on Nov 22, 2023

A British pastor reminds us, "Thanksgiving is more than an American holiday; it's a Godly holiday, as well."

Scripture: Matthew 25:26-27, Titus 2:1-10

Tags: Thanksgiving, Preaching, gratitude, focus, five blessings, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

What A Seminary Degree Will Not Do

By Joe Mckeever on Nov 21, 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)

Can Something This Simple Supercharge Staff Morale?

By Charles Stone on Nov 20, 2023

Several months ago I began something with our staff that has been a huge hit. It’s simple. Any staff can do it, whether in a church or a business application. And it boosts staff morale and excitement when we do it. I encourage you to try it with your staff. It’s called a “Blue Sky Thinking” morning.

Tags: pastoral leadership, servant leadership, church ministry, Staff Meeting, Leadership, leadership, motivation, inspiration, Solitude  (view more)  (view less)

Every Church Staff Team Needs A Little Bit Of Friction

By Brandon Cox on Nov 19, 2023

"Eliminate friction!!" That’s the goal most of us have when it comes to leading a team, or a church, or a company. But what if friction is actually the key to getting things moving in the right direction?

Scripture: Genesis 1:1

Tags: leadership, strategy, Leadership, conflict, Teamwork, Tension, pastoral leadership, Friction, Team Dynamics  (view more)  (view less)

No More Email: A Productivity Experiment That’s Paying Off

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 16, 2023

How are your email habits affecting your effectiveness?

Tags: church leadership, communication, Stress, effective, productivity, email, Pastoral Ministry, avoiding burnout, stress, Communication  (view more)  (view less)

4 Spiritual Disciplines Pastors Often Neglect

By Charles Stone on Nov 15, 2023

What spiritual disciplines might you be neglecting?

Tags: Spiritual Discipline, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership, leadership, Submission, confession, Solitude, Christian Disciplines, pastoral leadership  (view more)  (view less)

Handling A Hurricane Part 2

By Lance Witt on Nov 14, 2023

There will be a day that feels like a normal day, but there is a devastating hurricane about to hit your team. It is the hurricane of a moral failure by one of your team members. But if you have prepared, it won’t be a “freak out” moment, it will be a “let’s execute our hurricane plan” moment.

Scripture: Galatians 6:1

Tags: Moral failure, Overcoming Crisis, Leadership, leadership, preparation, Pastoral Ministry, church ministry, Leadership Failure  (view more)  (view less)

The Ultimate Character Test Any Great Leader Passes

By Carey Nieuwhof on Nov 13, 2023

Moral failure takes out more leaders than it should. But real success is deeper than just avoiding the ditch.

Tags: Leadership, pastoral leadership, church leadership, First Things First, Leadership Failure, True Success, e, leadership, Character, Faithfulness, Home Life, Integrity, Popularity  (view more)  (view less)

4 Weapons Of Mass Distraction In A Leader’s Life

By Charles Stone on Nov 12, 2023

Ask yourself which of these four weapons of mass distraction divert you the most from leading at your best.

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8

Tags: church ministry, Effective Leadership, Leading Others Well, Leadership, leadership, focus, distractions, pastoral leadership, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)