In Preaching Articles: "Calling"

The Reverse Altar Call

By Greg Stier on Aug 2, 2023

Sometimes the words “altar call” trigger images of sawdust trails and endless verses of “Just as I am” with preachers prodding, pushing and persuading sinners to come forward down the aisle in front of God and everyone.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Tags: Evangelism, strategy, Evangelism How To, Evangelism The Lost, evangelism  (view more)  (view less)

Are We Preaching Greatness To The Wrong Audience?

By James Scott on Apr 28, 2023

Many church leaders call people to “greatness,” but most believers are called to quiet faithfulness in ordinary vocations.

Scripture: Matthew 20:26-28, Luke 16:10, 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, Colossians 3:23, Micah 6:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Love, Preaching, peaceful, calling, preaching, love, Calling  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher’s Tip: If You Can Keep From Preaching, Do It

By H.b. Charles, Jr. on Nov 6, 2020

Pastor H.B. Charles, Jr. shares a hard word from a father clarified a calling: true pastoral ministry is not a hobby one can drop but a necessity laid upon the soul.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:16, Jeremiah 20:9, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:24, Galatians 1:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Calling, Preaching, advice, insight, Improve, calling, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Why Being Bi-Vocational Can Make You A Better Preacher

By Adam Russell on May 18, 2021

Many people dream of doing something extraordinary but overlook the formative power of ordinary work. Scripture and experience both show that faithful daily labor often prepares people for greater calling.

Scripture: Genesis 6:13-22, 1 Samuel 16:11-13, Matthew 4:18-20, Acts 18:1-3, Colossians 3:23  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: preaching, Calling, Job, Preaching, better, vocation, calling  (view more)  (view less)

Does Preaching Really Matter?

By Lance Witt on Apr 7, 2026

Like most pastors, I will never forget the first sermon I preached. Basically, we had to hold people at gun point to get them to listen . . .

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:21, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 9:16

Tags: preaching, Calling, Preaching, God's Power, Bartimaeus, calling  (view more)  (view less)

Expositional Preaching: Our Calling

By Mark Dever on Apr 24, 2026

Six pastors define and discuss their passionate calling to expositional preaching.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-10, Genesis 1:1-3

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Calvin And The Calling Of The Pastor-Scholar

By Philip Ryken on Sep 3, 2021

John Calvin believed almost nothing was more urgent than reforming pastoral ministry through deep biblical scholarship. His example as a pastor-scholar still speaks directly to preachers today.

Scripture: Acts 27:13-26, Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:8  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: John Calvin, pastor, Scholar, john calvin, preaching skill, Pastor, preaching, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

4 Reasons Not To Give An Altar Call

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Aug 12, 2024

Altar calls can help seekers respond to Christ, but they can also distort the gospel when misused. Here are four situations in which giving an altar call becomes unwise.

Scripture: John 6:47, Luke 23:43, John 12:42, Romans 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Invitation, altar call, gospel clarity, Gospel Clarity, Altar Call  (view more)  (view less)

Is There Anything Wrong With Calling God "She”?

By Aaron Armstrong on Jan 7, 2022

"It's just a pronoun, so what's the big deal?" Well, what does the scripture say?

Tags: Preaching, Attributes, Masculine, feminine, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

The Power Of Simplicity… Part 1

By Lance Witt on Aug 28, 2023

I really do believe that many of the people you pastor are looking for simplicity.

Tags: focus, Simplicity, simplify, calling

Preach The Word: The Pastor’s Highest Calling

By John Piper on May 16, 2025

Paul’s charge in 2 Timothy 4:2 defines the central responsibility of pastoral ministry. Faithful pastors must proclaim Scripture with clarity, authority, and heartfelt conviction.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, Joshua 1:8

Tags: preaching, bible, Bible, Preaching, the word, teach, Pastoral Ministry  (view more)  (view less)

Are You Running From Your Calling As A Preacher?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on May 31, 2023

Some pastors avoid difficult truths in preaching, choosing encouragement over correction. Faithful ministry requires proclaiming the whole counsel of God, even when it is uncomfortable.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27, 2 Timothy 3:12, Isaiah 55:11, 1 Peter 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership, Preaching, teach, run, Biblical  (view more)  (view less)

Why Jesus Called People To Big Challenges

By James Scott on Jun 23, 2021

Jesus did not invite people to small improvements but to radical discipleship. Faithful preaching should challenge believers with the same bold call.

Scripture: Matthew 5:20, Matthew 19:21, Luke 9:23, Luke 9:60, Matthew 28:19-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Jesus, obedience, challenge, Follow, following Christ, Obedience, Following Christ  (view more)  (view less)

The Call No One Wants To Get - Part 1

By Lance Witt on Sep 25, 2023

One of the spiritual questions every ministry leader must answer is, “Am I willing to serve in obscurity?”

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Tags: Faith, obscurity, Cost of Discipleship, success in ministry

The Call No One Wants To Get - Part 2

By Lance Witt on Sep 26, 2023

Looking back, I see that obscurity allowed God to redirect my sense of identity and significance.

Tags: obscurity, Relationship to God, intimacy with Christ, Hidden work of God