In Sermon Illustrations: "Ministry"

You Do Not Pull The Shore To ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 24, 2009

YOU DO NOT PULL THE SHORE TO YOU Prayer is surrender--surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boathook from the boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-10

Tags: Prayer, Prayer Supplication

Think Steps, Not Programs

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Oct 5, 2010

THINK STEPS, NOT PROGRAMS In his book, Seven Practices of Effective Ministry, Andy Stanley writes: "Think Steps, Not Programs" (p. 88). The idea is this: Instead of having a strategic vision that focuses on programs, you have a strategic vision of a people-process, a pathway that takes people from ...read more

Tags: Church Practices

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Method Is Not What Matters Most  PRO

Contributed by David Parks on Jun 1, 2012

METHOD IS NOT WHAT MATTERS MOST "Among the many myths of modernity, none has been more devastating to the church than the belief that method is what matters most in ministry. And nowhere has this myth been more pernicious than in preaching. Steeped in homiletical method, preaching is now more ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Tags: Preaching

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A.c. Gaebelein, One Of The Great Theologians Of ...

Contributed by Russ Barksdale on Dec 27, 2007

A.C. Gaebelein, one of the great theologians of the 20th century wrote in his book, The Angels of God, “Like every truth, the truth of the angels of God—their presence on earth and their loving ministries—has practical value. As we realize in faith . . . that they are watching us, ready to walk ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The United Methodist Church Has Helped Over ...

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 9, 2009

"The United Methodist Church has helped over 59,000 people who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. Over 45,692 volunteers (3320 teams) volunteers from around the world have served in our disaster recovery ministry. That’s a donation value of $40,468,015. What we have found is that we are not just ...read more

Tags: Missions

Denomination: Methodist

Marbles Of Love ...

Contributed by Joe Fain on Apr 6, 2009

Marbles of love ministry (As presented to Bible Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, KY 40456) 1151 s. dogwood drive berea, KY 40403 859-302-2622 cjf3309@windstream.net Greetings in Christ Name: We would like to introduce you to a ministry that we feel God has laid upon our hearts to ...read more

Tags: Outreach

Denomination: Baptist

Bill Hybels Is The Pastor Of The Largest Church ...  PRO

Contributed by James Wilson on Nov 23, 2000

Bill Hybels is the Pastor of the largest church in America, Willow Creek Community Church, just outside of Chicago, Illinois. His ministry began as an outreach from another church to teenagers during the early 70’s. They called the youth ministry Son City. He and his wife Lynne recount the story of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11-15

Tags: Mourn, Marriage Obligations, Marriage General, Guard, Careful, Bad  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

I Was Wrong  PRO

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 24, 2002

I WAS WRONG Jim Bakker is back in the pulpit again. "It’s awesome to die and come back," he told about 400 worshipers at Way of Life Church, where he was the guest speaker Sunday. The former PTL Ministries leader presided over a multimillion dollar TV ministry until he resigned amid a sex and ...read more

Tags: Great God, Grace, God's Love, Repentance, People, Impact  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In Point Man, Steve Farrar Tells The Story Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Oct 27, 2004

In Point Man, Steve Farrar tells the story of George McCluskey. When McCluskey married and started a family, he decided to invest one hour a day in prayer, because he wanted his kids to follow Christ. After a time, he expanded his prayers to include his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8

Tags: Children

Denomination: Baptist

Warfield's Faithfulness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 28, 2011

WARFIELD'S FAITHFULNESS There’s an old story about Dr. Benjamin Warfield. He was a theology professor at Princeton Seminary. While he was still at the height of his academic powers, his wife got sick. And she became an invalid. He took care of her for ten years. During that ten year period, he ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:25-33

Tags: Marriage Faithfulness

A Dying Church  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 5, 2011

A DYING CHURCH An artist was once asked to put on canvas what he considered to be the picture best symbolizing a decaying and dying church. After several months, he returned and reported that he had finished the task. The hour finally arrived when the painting was to be unveiled. Several people ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Tags: Church Growth

The Lord's Game Plan

Contributed by Eugene Morell on Jan 7, 2012

THE LORD'S GAME PLAN After I had been a Christian for a while, I felt that I was being called ton the ministry. I figured that the Lord had made just about his biggest mistake by calling me. When I told Barbara about what I felt, I rejoiced when she told me that I couldn’t be a pastor because all ...read more

Tags: Commitment To Christ

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Missionary Service Of Henry ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 16, 2012

THE MISSIONARY SERVICE OF HENRY MARTYN Henry Martyn had already done more than his share of missionary service in India by his late 20s when he announced he was going to Persia. Doctors had told him that the heat would kill him if he stayed in India, and the heat in Persia was worse. Martyn ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:42-45

Tags: Servanthood

Graham's Flame In His Hand

Contributed by Donny Granberry on Nov 17, 2008

GRAHAM'S FLAME IN HIS HAND Billy Graham said this, "When I was a young biblical study major in college, I had questions that many young believers have. I struggled with what I thought were inconsistencies in the word of God, and therefore I had little power in my ministry. My anointing was ...read more

Tags: Bible Truth

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Most Churches Do A Good Job Of Getting People ...  PRO

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 25, 2001

“Most churches do a good job of getting people to first base or maybe even second base. People will receive Christ, be baptized and join the church (that’s getting them to first base). Some churches also do an excellent job of helping believers develop the habits that lead to spiritual maturity ...read more

Tags: Church Purpose Of, Growth In Christ, Sharing My Testimony

Denomination: Church Of God

Why Pastors Change: A New Ellison Research Study ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 27, 2006

Why Pastors Change: A new Ellison Research study finds the average American minister has held a paid job in ministry for 19 years and has spent an average of 15.6 of those years as a senior pastor. Typically he or she has been the senior pastor at 3 different churches. 20% change jobs due to a ...read more

Tags: Church General

Joy-Suckers

Contributed by Jesse Bennett on Apr 5, 2009

JOY-SUCKERS A "joy sucker" is someone who is determined to create either discouragement or hardship on your ministry. "Joy suckers" take on all shapes and sizes, but most often they are negative in their outlook, disappointed with their family, in need of attention or enamored with their own ...read more

Tags: Dealing With Conflicts

Denomination: Baptist

Dry Truth Or Dynamic Lies?

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 26, 2010

DRY TRUTH OR DYNAMIC LIES? During my first year of ministry here, I asked a hypothetical question: If you had the choice of attending a church where the pastor believed and taught the Bible but was dry and not a very good speaker, or a church where the pastor believed that the Bible contained many ...read more

Tags: Doctrine

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Few Need To ...

Contributed by Larry Wilson on Aug 7, 2010

A Few Need to Die Warren Wiersbe, Be Strong. (p. 30) It is unfortunate but true that sometimes the only way a ministry can move forward is by conducting a few funerals. A pastor friend of mine pleaded with his church board to build a new educational [building] to house an exploding Sunday ...read more

Tags: Sin Punishment Of

Denomination: Baptist

Holy Joy

Contributed by Ken Pell on Apr 6, 2012

HOLY JOY Richard Foster describes holy joy like this: "Joy, not grit, is the hallmark of holy obedience. ...It is a cheerful revolt against self and pride. ...Utter abandonment to God is done freely and with celebration. And so I urge you to enjoy this ministry of self-surrender. ...The saints ...read more

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Nazarene