Waiting for "That" Phone Call
Every preacher has one (or more). Young preachers, especially, think “theirs” will come. It seems as though nearly every preacher, when he starts out, thinks the phone will ring, an email will come, or a letter will arrive inviting him to speak at “that” event or congregation.
Maybe it’s a large and well-known congregation in the area. Maybe it’s a certain lectureship or workshop where many will hear him (or read his manuscript). Maybe it’s just expecting to speak at a civic event in the community.Preachers are asked often to speak at events. When we first start, we see “everyone else” speaking at Gospel Meetings, VBS classes, preachers’ meetings, lectureships and other events and so, since they are “just preachers too,” we think our letter or phone call is coming…
….then it doesn’t…
…and doesn’t…
…and doesn’t.
Some can start to feel like they’ve been “overlooked.” We can start to think, “I work hard and do my best to preach the truth. When will my time come?”
Right there is the problem!
These speaking engagements are wonderful, and I’m honored when asked to speak anywhere, but they are not “proof” that I’m famous, or that this somehow shows “my time” has arrived in the brotherhood.
Preachers, may I make a suggestion? Stop waiting for the phone to ring. If it does, be honored and humbled. Accept whatever speaking engagements you can possibly make so long as they don’t harm your local work.
In the meantime, though, keep working diligently where you are! You agreed to preach for that congregation. Sure, they give you time to hold meetings or speak on summer series, but your first working responsibility is under the oversight of your elders and teaching those members.
You may never get “that” letter or phone call. You may never be asked to hold a bunch of meetings or to speak at several lectureships, but you can still be a wonderful evangelist and worker. Do your best to serve those you have been asked to teach. You’ll be glad you did.
4 Comments
Anonymous
I think I have so focused on my local work that I have never even tried to get outside preaching events.
People who teach a lot of lessons over many years make more of an impact than the weekend warrior/evangelist.
Good points.
Joe Palmer http://www.joepalmer.wordpres.com
Tim Archer
In my rarely humble opinion, most of these invitations merely repeat themselves in a vicious circle, while many of the greatest servants of God labor in relative anonymity. In a perfect world, our missionaries and church planters would be the heroes, not the guys at the big churches.
Your point is well taken. I've seen guys get so bitter over these things that they poison their own ministry. Much better to take the course Joe mentioned in his comment.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Mark
Thanks for a great, and very honest post. We ministers all struggle with issues of pride. We want to serve God, but we sure do like being noticed for what we've done.
I think your advice is spot-on…we should focus on blooming where we're planted, and be thankful for any other blessings along the way.
Mark
Wes Hazel
I asked some preachers once how to overcome the sin of jealousy in ministry. They all agreed that the Bible said we shouldn't be jealous and it was a sin of pride. Okay, that didn't help at all. As a matter of fact, it hurt a little. Andy Stanley writes about this in "It Came From Within." He says the cure for jealousy is celebration. It is a great read if you are struggling with this issue.