Guest Post: The Church and the Pulpit

[Today’s guest post comes from Scott McCown. Scott preaches for the church of Christ in Parrish, Alabama, where he has served since 1999. He has been in the ministry for 24 years overall. In addition to preaching, Scott is also an excellent song leader. You may wish to check out his blog, “The Morning Drive,” by clicking here. We appreciate Scott’s time in writing today’s post.]

Not long ago on a Religion Q&A site, one person replied to the question: “What do you expect from your minister (preacher)?” with a description of their preacher.  This description is a good indication of what the Church expects from the Pulpit.

•  He is dedicated to following Christ. He cares more about people than image, he is a servant rather than a celebrity. He is not power-hungry.
• He is willing to admit when he’s made a mistake. And quick to forgive those around him. It is easier for me to grow in Christ because I know that I am deeply, genuinely loved. That I am accepted as is, while encouraged to grow.
• He honors and respects his wife, He loves his children, he is an example of a family man.
• He is willing to laugh at himself. In his sermons he passes on stories that lift people up.
• He sees people for who they are. He is an encourager and a good listener.
• He models his ministry after the image of Jesus washing His disciples feet. He makes it his goal to serve, just as Christ served us and gave himself for us.
• He prays . . . a lot. And he devours the scripture.
• He isn’t trying to share some sort of theoretical faith he learned in seminary; Rather, it’s a faith he is living–“join me in following Christ.”
• He sees himself as equipping all members for ministry. He is not there to entertain us or to make us happy; but to help, teach, and encourage us, so that we can be ministers we can be to those around us in whatever role we are found.

 The Apostle Paul was, in many ways, a “pulpit preacher.”  He spent three years located and serving with the Church in Ephesus.  He describes his time there to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20.  By looking at his words, we get an idea of what the pulpit is about:

“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time . . . serving the Lord with all humility . . . how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying . . . of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:18-21, 27b – ESV)

Paul encouraged a younger minister, Timothy, in the following ways:

 . . . For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle  . . . a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Tim 2:5-7)

 . . .  But as for you, O man of God . . . Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. (1 Tim 6:11)

 . . . Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

 . . . Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. (2 Tim 2:23-35)

 . . . preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. . . .  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Tim 4:2-5)

 Here are my conclusions:

 The Pulpit is NOT

1. A venue for your soap box or personal point of view.
2. An avenue to vent anger or call names.
3. A place to push your political standings.  There are times to take moral stands, but preach the morality issue and do not make it a political speech.  Resist telling people how to vote, tell them what God says and let them decided what to do.
4. A way to make a living.  You can make a living while filling a pulpit, but do not enter ministry just to make a living.  If you can make a living doing something else, then do it.

 What the Congregation Expects

1. Sound teaching:  Make sure you are letting the text speak and not speaking for the text.
2. Studied material: Good sermons take time to study, write, review, edit, and reflect before presentation.
3. Significance: Sermons should have an impact on the daily lives of the listeners. 
4. Simplicity:  Theological babble impresses lectureship crowds, but keep weekly sermons simple.  Educational levels in most congregation varies from children to well educated adults.  Try to reach each group where they are.
5. Servant mentality:  A preacher is not in control of the congregation.  As a servant of the congregation, look for opportunities to serve others.

 What the Pulpit Expects

1. Time for the Preacher to Study:  Those that fill the pulpit full-time receive support so that they can spend extra time in study.  A while back, I started referring to the room I use at the building or the area of my home as “my study.”  I don’t have “office hours.” Instead, “I am usually in my study at the building” during certain hours.  Using the word study lets people know what I am doing while there, and helps people respect my study time.
2. Take the Message to Heart:  There was a preacher who presented a lesson on  Loving One Another.  One lady who always complained about others not treating her well, shook his hand saying, “that was a great lesson.”  “Thank you,” he replied, “How are you going to put love in action this week?” 
3. Toleration: One person cannot be in more than one place at a time.  “I called the building, but no one answered” and “That preacher never visits” are expectations that should not co-exist.
4. Togetherness in Service:  Every member is a servant “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another . . .” 1 Pet 4:10.