In Preaching Articles:

The Case For The Hour-Long Church Service

By Dave Browning on Jan 4, 2023

A focused, one-hour service honors people’s time, removes barriers for the unchurched, and forces churches to clarify what matters most in Sunday worship.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:21

Tags: church service

8 Starts To Avoid In Your Preaching

By Rachel Blom on Jan 3, 2023

The first moments of a sermon shape whether people will stay engaged. These eight common but ineffective sermon starts reveal what preachers should avoid to maintain attention and build trust with listeners.

Tags: Homiletics

R. C. Sproul: Why Good Teaching Is Simple But Never Simplistic

By R. C. Sproul on Jan 2, 2023

Effective teaching does not avoid complexity but translates it. True mastery shows itself in clarity that simplifies without distorting truth.

Scripture: Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 9:9, Luke 24:27, Matthew 13:34-35, 2 Timothy 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship

How Do You Prepare Your Child For Adulthood?

By Brian Croft on Jan 1, 2023

Many of you knew I was on a trip with my 13 year-old son recently. What was the occasion? My wife and I promised each of our children when they turned 13 years old, they would get to take a special trip with one of us.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 3:1-7

Tags: protection, Shepherd, parenting, discipling, Role of Men, Christian fathers, teach children, Godly Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 7—cultivate Confidence (Mindset)

By Charles Stone on Dec 30, 2022

Cultivate Confidence is the seventh instalment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: John 2:17, Matthew 4:18-22

Tags:

Seven Commitments Of Renewal Every Church Leader Should Make For A New Year

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 29, 2022

I see the New Year as a time for recommitment and re-focus. And though it is simply the changing of the page of a calendar, it is still a good time to be reminded about those areas that are most important in our lives.

Tags: Outreach, New Year, simplify, daily prayer

How To Review Your Year For A Better New Year

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 28, 2022

Watch your life closely. Examine it. Review it.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16, Jeremiah 17:10

Tags: New Year, Time of Reflection, New Year's Reflection, setting goals

15 New-Year Quotes You Can Use In Your First Sermon Of The New Year

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 27, 2022

Let these great names--and great thoughts--animate tomorrow's sermon.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-15, Ezekiel 34:11-16

Tags: Preaching, New Year, Chesterton, Quotes, martin luther, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

New Year, New Adjective: "Christ-Exalting”

By John Piper on Dec 26, 2022

My aim here is to encourage you to make “Christ-exalting” the featured adjective in your prayers. Let me explain what I mean. Then I’ll give you three reasons why I think this would be a great New Year’s resolution.

Scripture: Philippians 1:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Tags: Prayer, Resolution, Personal Growth, exalting christ, daily prayer, new years, Christ Centered, New Years Resolution  (view more)  (view less)

Disappointed With God -- At Christmastime!

By David J. Lose on Dec 25, 2022

Why is there an Advent passage about John and his doubts? Turns out there are plenty of good reasons.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why I Said Yes To Pastoral Ministry

By Chuck Warnock on Dec 15, 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, Leadership General, Pastoral Ministry, Spiritual Renewal, Pastor, church, Ministry Burnout, Pastoral Calling, Clergy Encouragement  (view more)  (view less)

Pornography’s Strategy Against Pastors

By Paul Kendall on Dec 14, 2022

Porn addiction destroys pastors, families, and churches. This exposes the enemy’s strategy and outlines a path to repentance, recovery, and lasting deliverance.

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

Tags: Addiction, Pornography, Spiritual Warfare, pastor, Purity, Pastors, sexual purity, Church Health, Pastoral Integrity, Pastor, Porn Addiction, Sexual Purity  (view more)  (view less)

Slaves In Your Church’s Backyard

By David Batstone on Dec 13, 2022

Modern slavery hides in plain sight. These stories reveal how trafficking thrives worldwide and even locally, calling Christians to seek justice with persistent, sacrificial love.

Tags: Compassion, Culture, Slavery, Justice, traffic, injustice, Human Trafficking, abolition, culture, Modern Slavery, Abolition  (view more)  (view less)

Ten Principles For Pastors Leading Plateaued Churches

By Joe Mckeever on Dec 12, 2022

Many churches plateau, but pastors don’t have to. These ten principles guide leaders toward renewal through prayer, humility, small improvements, and practical, Spirit-led steps.

Tags: Church, Growth, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Apathy, Fail, Leadership General, pastoral leadership, shepherding, Pastor, Leadership, Shepherding, church, Pastoral Leadership, Plateaue, Ministry Health  (view more)  (view less)

A Key To Healthy Relationships

By Josh Reich on Dec 11, 2022

I think hospitality has the power to change the relationships we have. It is that powerful.

Tags: Community, Welcome, invite, Hospitality, Christian Love, serve others, Love One Another, Intentionality, community  (view more)  (view less)