I’m absolutely drained this morning.
Every once in a while, I get an invitation to teach for a local pastor during Sunday morning services. I’ll be filling in this Sunday at Martindale Christian Fellowship Church in Canton, OH.
I finished the rough draft of the message yesterday afternoon. I’ve probably spent around 25 hours reading, studying, and preparing for Sunday’s teaching. From the guys I know who serve as teaching pastors, I guess that’s pretty typical. I wanted to make sure I got the bulk of the preparation done well in advance of Sunday, because emergencies tend to happen (especially this time of year) in my specialty and I wanted to be prepared. But my pastor friends deal with emergencies at least as much, if not more than I do.
I probably did more public lectures and presentations last decade than any other doc in my specialty. But I’d often give the same (or a very similar presentation) multiple times, and in a year in which I’d give 200 talks, I’d probably cover 10-15 topics. Pastors have to generate original content every week, and may get the opportunity to publicly rehearse their material two or three times tops before they’re on to the next topic. As an experienced speaker, getting up in church to teach on Sunday morning is harder than anything I’ve had to do in the medical field.
That’s why every mature Christian should have to preach at least once. We’d all have a far greater appreciation for the dedication and commitment required of the folks who put their heads and hearts into sharing with us from God’s Word every week. Make a point of telling your pastor how much you appreciate their dedication and commitment. Take them out to breakfast or lunch or get them a gift card to download more books or resources. Commit to praying for them on a regular basis. And don’t forget to acknowledge the children’s pastor or youth pastor who takes the time to teach your kids with less notice or recognition.
***********************************************************************************************************
Our Key Ministry website is a resource through which church staff, volunteers, family members and caregivers can register for upcoming training events, request access to our library of downloadable ministry resources, contact our staff with training or consultation requests, access the content of any or all of our three official ministry blogs, or contribute their time, talent and treasure to the expansion of God’s Kingdom through the work of Key Ministry. Check it out today!
Steve, I couldn’t agree with you more! Every time I have to prepare for a keynote talk, I always think, “how in the world does my pastor do this every week??” It always gives me a new appreciation for my pastor, how insightful his messages are, the amount of thought and prayer and preparation goes into them…and how he doesn’t get any of the “re-useable value” from them that conference speakers do! So, here’s a little shout-out to Rev. Tom Nicholas–YOU ARE APPRECIATED!! :>)
LikeLike
glad you have the chance to preach – and yes, it is draining!
LikeLike
What a great and wonderful word — and an honoring thing to say about the work of a pastor. Thank you Steve. And nice picture as well!
LikeLike
Hi Jamie,
I thought it would be appropriate to find a picture of the pastor who best combines exemplary expository preaching and communication skills with movie star looks. Didn’t take me long.
LikeLike
1 out of 2 isn’t bad! Hope your preaching time went well yesterday.
LikeLike
Amen! I’m sure you did a great job! 🙂
LikeLike