The new year brings with it new responsibilities. I have accepted a position with the church of Christ in Carthage, Missouri, and will serve as the full-time pulpit preacher, beginning in January. It was with some reluctance that I considered the position, since I have to leave smaller congregations behind. I have enjoyed traveling to area churches that have needed a preacher and have often called myself a circuit rider.
This will be different. I have never preached in a full-time capacity. There will be some hurdles. The following is a piece that I wrote for the congregation to read.
This will be different. I have never preached in a full-time capacity. There will be some hurdles. The following is a piece that I wrote for the congregation to read.
As we begin a new year and a new chapter in congregational history, the question remains: Where are we going? We all have our preferences - in the selection of new carpet, the purchase of new technology, and yes, in the hiring of a new preacher.
When we came to Carthage in the midst of COVID, I had no intention of pursuing a preaching position - like most, we were quite happy to listen and work with the previous preacher. We saw none of this on the horizon when suddenly, the church found itself in an awkward transitional phase.
I still supervise student-teachers for Pittsburg State University and I still train educators professionally as called to do so in various places around the U.S. The skills involved in those smaller, sporadic jobs are helpful in teaching classes (adult classes as well as some of our Made in Six offerings) and in preaching. I have never and will never be the teacher who presents material as one who knows everything, especially regarding Scripture - we all have much to learn - but I do read and study to prepare, and my hope is to engineer the kinds of presentations that cause students and congregants to focus their attention and think more deeply.
Early in the process, I put together a list of the type of preacher and teacher I want people to see in me. My list is not one taken from anyone else but myself. It's also not of preacher traits taken from the pages of the Bible. I highly doubt that the list is complete: in fact, you will probably want to add your own ideas and personal preferences to it. My goal in printing it here is transparency: I simply want you to see some of my thoughts (Not all of my thoughts, of course: sometimes it gets pretty weird in there!).
So here goes: here is my little list. I may not be successful at all of it (or fully successful with any of it, but with your help, maybe we can get closer.
I want people to see a preacher who:
- Is a humble servant
- Is still curious
- Can still show excitement at understanding something “new"
- Still has a hunger for the milk, but also desires meat
- Can admit when he doesn't comprehend something
- Does not pretend to know everything
- Has a passion for the content, the procedure, and the delivery
- Encourages genuine love and excitement for Scripture and worship - and not an attachment to the preacher himself
- Spends time in study and preparation
- Speaks clearly
- Puts up signposts along the way to help listeners follow along
- Never assumes listeners already know things, but does not talk down to them
- Challenges listeners of all levels of knowledge
- Wants to preach the old Truths in unique ways but not change the inspired Message
- Sparks productive discussion
- Curates and initiates effective pedagogical practices
- Listens more than he talks
- Makes connections regarding Scripture, resources, life experiences, historical accounts, current events, the local congregation, and the future
- Is interested in growing the church spiritually, in knowledge and wisdom, and in physical size
It doesn't happen without your help.
- Looks for ways to initiate studies with non-members
- Does not wish to change Scripture, promote self, or codify opinion
- Shows compassion to members, nonmembers, and sinners
- Desires to take advantage of our personal talents
- Hopes to grow congregational talents
- Utilizes the most effective technology practices
- Delegates and lets the church work together
More and more, I see preachers as they are: fragile men who try their best to serve in the best manners and to the best of their abilities. They need support and love, and they desperately need understanding, tenderness, and patience from their brothers and sisters. Each of us is a minister to the rest of us. Please commit yourself to joining me on this journey into 2025 and any future the Lord allows us to have before He returns to take us home.
