I sometimes listen to preachers with amazement, if not awe. So many of them are incredibly effective in communicating God’s Word, so much more effective than I ever was or will be. I certainly understand that assessing effectiveness is a very subjective assignment. But, simply put, a number of preachers I have observed are incredible in explaining and applying the Word. As a consequence, God changes lives and saves people.
The best I can do is to be a student of these preachers, and to share with you seven key habits I have observed in most of them. I regularly ask these preachers about the way they go about preparing, preaching, and evaluating their messages. My list is fallible, but I do hope it’s helpful.
- They give preaching a priority in their ministries. A pastor has a 24/7, always on call schedule. It’s easy to let sermon preparation slide with the demands of the moment. The outstanding preachers I know give preaching a very high priority. They make certain they put the hours in to communicate effectively and powerfully.
- They make their sermons a vital part of their prayer lives. Here is a quote from one of those preachers I believe to be one of the most effective alive today: “I cannot imagine sermon preparation and delivery in my power alone. I regularly plead with God to anoint my preaching and to guide me in my sermon preparation.”
- They have a routine in sermon preparation. To the best of their abilities, these effective preachers set aside many hours a week on their calendars for sermon preparation. And while emergencies will happen, they do their best to stay committed to that time. Most of them have specific days and times of day when they work on their sermons.
- They constantly seek input about their messages. I know one pastor whose wife listens to each of his sermons ahead of his preaching. She offers valuable input to her husband. Many of these pastors have mentors and church members who help them evaluate their messages. And a number of them watch and listen to their recorded sermons within a week after preaching them.
- They stay committed to a specific sermon length. The pastors with whom I spoke have sermons that range in length from 25 minutes to 45 minutes. But they all are consistent each week on their specific length. In other words, a pastor who preaches a message 30 minutes in length will do so consistently each week. They have learned that their congregations adapt to their preaching length, and that inconsistency can be frustrating to the members.
- They put the majority of their efforts into one message a week. Some of the pastors were expected to preach different sermons each week, such as a Sunday morning message and a Sunday evening message. But, to the person, they all told me they can only prepare and preach one sermon effectively each week. The Sunday evening message, for example, is either an old message or a poorly prepared message.
- They are constantly looking for ways to improve their communication skills. So they do more than just seek feedback, as noted in number four above. They read books on communications. They listen to other effective communicators. And they are regularly in touch with the context of their church and its community, so that their messages are not only biblical, but relevant as well.
The readers of this blog include some very effective preachers, and it includes many of you who listen to effective communicators. I would love to hear your perspectives on effective preaching.
Check out our $5 ebook, Sermon Starters: Outlines for Every Holiday & Occasion to kick start your sermon preparation process.
photo credit: Chris Yarzab via photopin cc
Posted on March 26, 2014
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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93 Comments
In response to Pastor Josh’s comments on sermon prep, it seems that he may indeed be providing extra attention to the Sun AM message vs the Sun PM and Wed PM message. He admittedly is spending twice the amount if time on the one than he is the others! That in itself can suggest that he is providing a lesser grade message on the evening occasions. That is not to say that either of the two messages are of less value, but they do have less investment, which I believe was the intent of point six in the original post. I applaud his sincere efforts to offer his best in each message, but he is certainly not offering an equivalent amount if attention for each message.
Hi Tom, Josh and others
I have been pastoring and preaching for over thirthy years. I have done the 80 hours per week schedule. preached sunday school, morning service, evening service, Bible study, seniors home and youth. All in one week. I remember a preacher of a large mega church once saying to a group of young pastors ( including me) that he pastored his church, preached all sermons, lead a national TV ministry, served on his denominations executive council. He also took no holidays, days off or family days. He said He would rather burn our than rust out.
For years I tried to follow that man of Gods example. I later discovered he resigned his church because of moral failure and depression. Many of my friends tried to live up to thse standards andeventually left ministry because they were fried. I also almost became a victim of depression and spiritual self abuse. And don’t say “Well they were never called” These were men who were gifted, called and served well.
I personally learned the hard way through my own burn out and deression that Jesus is not to be my Assistant, I am following Him. I will continue to do my best, be my best and put my best forward. But none of us are supermen or women. Paul did what he did, but did not have a family to come home too. At the end of the day that is all I have, my relationshp with God and my family. I never want to lose that on the alter of ministry.
You hit the nail on the head. Tommy Nelson (Denton Bible Church) warned us on Focus on the Families’ Pastor to Pastor program to be careful. He thought he could and must do everything. He told of crashing and burning!!
That is not God’s plan.
Longer does not equal better. More sermon points are not always needed. Just say what you need to say and sit down. Let people think about it. Most priests And rabbis I know let the bible readings to the teaching and then just elaborate on it. This makes a big difference.
When I taught in a university, I knew what I had to cover every class, and I would push students beyond saturation a because I had no choice. Those who preach can make one point well and don’t have to cover loads of material.
Hello Dr. Rainer,
I know there has been much discussion surrounding point #6, but I must say that I really don’t understand it.
Why is it now too hard to prepare more than one message per week? Pretty much all pastors used to, and all of my pastor friends still do. I preach three times a week and in addition to that I teach one of our small groups, and I’ve never felt like too much was being asked of me. This is not to say that it’s easy, because it certainly is not, but I don’t believe that any pastor expects it to be.
I know that we all have different strengths/weaknesses, and I understand that some may really struggle with working on multiple studies simultaneously, and I think that is understandable. I can acknowledge that perhaps God has gifted me with the ability to prepare multiple sermons simultaneously. (although, I assure you, I have never felt gifted.) I’ve just never felt like preparing more than one sermon required me to work really hard on one, but not as hard on the others.
Perhaps there is something that I am missing here?
Anyway, as always, I appreciate the work you do on this blog and on the podcast.
Great article as usual Thom. Thank you for the signed copy of Simple Church you sent to me in Malawi through Phil Barnes a few years ago. Keep up the edifying posts and challenging posts. Blessings.
Nice post, Thom.
Stephen
Thank you sir.
#3 and #6 struck me the most personally. As single staff of a country church where I have to drive 20 miles just to get to the closest grocery store or even some of my congregants, I find having a set schedule near impossible. I’ve tried many times but a simple hospital visit is several hours out of my day due to distances driven (60 miles round trip for closest). As a consequence of our rural setting, Wednesday night is sparsely attended (less than 12 regular) so I use that as a discipleship/small group setting. Right now we are working through ‘Multiply’ by Francis Chan. Sunday mornings is when I know I have the greatest opportunity so I focus on that sermon the most. Sunday nights are small (approx 30) and I know most of them are saved, committed members so generally go for more of equipping type message.
So thankful for rural pastors like you John. All routines require flexibility, but it sounds like you have customized a plan that is realistic for your setting. Good job!
Josh, I am in a rural setting much like yours. I also have used our Wed. nights as what is essentially a small group because we have 10-15 people. I have found it difficult, but possible, to set a schedule every week. I work on my sermons 4 mornings a week, and use the afternoons for visits. My congregation is both understanding and relatively small, so I don’t have too many hospital visits to make each week. It depends on your congregation, but maybe if you laid out your expectations and reasonings for why it’s important to have long, focused times of preparation, I think they would understand. After all, nobody wants to sit through a bad sermon!
Just then, I almost flunked that little math test that (I assume) filters out spam:-).
God’s uses simple math to help keep us on track as believers: 7-6= 1. He gave us six days a week to work, and one to rest. Sabbath is both a gift and a command. A simple, cease and desist order that He modeled for us after creation. Jesus observed and fulfilled it (not abolished). He certainly didn’t make pastors an exception to it, yet so many are flagrantly disobey the fourth commandment.
Young pastors – please don’t believe the lie that pastors never get a day off. Sabbath keeping is an act of faith, obedience and humility. Please don’t be baited into thinking think that God can’t handle your church without your 24/7 help. Hopefully you do not think that little of our God or your family, or that much of yourself.
Regarding #6: As a listener to weekly Sunday morning and Wednesday night sermons, and frequent preparer of presentations myself, I appreciate the time and effort my pastor puts into his preparation. Typically, his Sunday morning and Wednesday night messages are on completely different topics. This is fine, but it would be okay with me for him to (occasionally or regularly) use Wednesday night as a follow-up to his Sunday morning message — going more in depth into the Scriptures, covering the pieces that hit the cutting room floor due to time constraints, etc.
Regarding #3: Knowing my pastor’s preparation routine has helped me pray more specifically for him on different days of the week. Saturdays are key. Thursdays and Fridays are important, too. Then there’s Tuesday. Not to mention Sunday, Wednesday, Monday…
As an assistant pastor I have found it difficult to prepare three sermons in a week that polished and well delivered when filling in for the senior pastor. That is why I am more convinced than ever that multiple teacher/preachers are vital to church health especially in bivocational settings. Thanks for the blog post Thom.