Preachy Preachers

I admit it. I have a problem. The good news is that I am praying about it and I hope you will pray for me. This preacher sometimes tends to get a little too preachy.

Preachers understand the importance of being spiritually minded. It is a matter of occupational awareness. This is because people hold us to a higher standard than others. If we do not live spiritual lives, then our ministry is not effective. This awareness leads to spiritual intensity. I can assure you that doing the right thing is always on our mind.

Then there is the pulpit. Unless you take your place there two or three times a week, you don’t know how it changes your life. The responsibility is great. People depend on you to help them work out their salvation. When that type of role is placed in your lap it is often hard to leave it behind when you step down from the podium. This leaves the preacher with the potential for being very preachy.

Occupational awareness + pulpit exposure = preachy preachers

It just happens. I can’t tell you how often I have been told to “lighten up” or to “stop being a spiritual policeman.” We need to be reminded that we are called to holiness, not professional, eye-speck investigation.

People who are perceived to be spiritual leaders just need to be regular people, too. While we don’t seek to display weakness, people still need to see it in us so they will see strength in Christ. We must be patient. We must be humble. We must cut the common man a little slack.

The “Room” People Need

I am learning that one thing people want even more than instruction, is room. Not room for sin, but room to move and learn and reform. Preachers will have greater influence when they stop trying to force changed behavior and give the power back to God and His word to transform lives. No matter how badly we want people to be saved, or to mature in Christ, they are going to have to want it themselves. In the meantime, those we strive to help need space for emotions, faults, and even doctrinal immaturity.  If we love others and care for them and build relationships with them the time will likely arrive when they will flee to us for help. Our preaching day will come.

We still need to preach the word in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). But may we never forget to respect the ears of those who hear.

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient” – 2 Timothy 2:24

———————–

To Receive Every Post via Email for Free, Click Here