The Message: The Pastor

A neat little reminder I had today after a long chat with my senior pastor, I'm challenged and encouraged about what it means to give a good message wherever I speak.

Ps Isaac had actually told me this before, but I heard it in a fresh new way today after talking about some really deep challenges and burdens that we both share. One of the biggest lessons Ps Isaac said that he learned from a mentor was about what a good sermon is like. It's a simple lesson and one a lot of people already know, but it becomes very relevant for those that are in positions of leadership.

As a pastor, no matter how much time you spend on preparing for your message, the second you stand up onto the stage, the sermon is already delivered by how your audience views you and the person you are. The way that you live your life and how you pour into other people's lives will often determine the power that comes from the words you speak.

I love how this applies not only to preaching, but also to so many other "stage front" type scenarios as well. You can spend 60 hours a week studying and preparing a message, or practicing a set list, but if you get up on that stage and do not represent what you say, your message is practically useless.

So much of my time is spent trying to make sure I'm saying all the right things or not making any mistakes, I often overlook the fact that it's all empty words if I don't practice what I preach. Most of the impact I'm going to make is not on the pulpit. It's really hard for me to see if I've made any real difference since being here, but I know it's not up to me to decide. All I can really do is live the life that I want my church to live, so at the very least, I owe it to these people that even through the garbage I deal with, I remain faithful to what I'm called.