WW2P – Wednesday’s Word to Pastors

(The Apostles said…) “we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” – Acts 6:4

Recently, while on vacation, I attended a church other than my own.  The people of the congregation were nice enough and there seemed to be plenty going on for youth and children.  On top of this, the church was advertising different ways they were involved in the community and ways their members could get involved.  I grabbed a bulletin and found the sermon outline printed there and settled in for worship.

When the time came for the pastor to preach, he seemed somewhat out of sorts, unprepared.  This did not make sense to me since the outline in the bulletin clearly showed thought and intention.  The outline was well prepared.  This discrepancy, between the pastor’s preparedness and the obvious preparation given to the outline, caused me to wonder.  Well, this is the day and age of smart phones…so I Googled the sermon title and there it was, it was not his own but another’s.

In the interest of full disclosure, my theological education heavily stressed the importance of preaching.  Not only did they stress the importance of preaching, but expository preaching.  We were taught to study and prepare.  We were taught to write meaningful outlines.  We were given the tools that we would need to effectively preach the Word of God.

Now, I’m not saying I’m the greatest, but that’s the point.  A studied over, prayed over, thought through sermon is always better than a borrowed sermon.  Sure, their illustrations may be better and their outline may rhyme or be alliterated, but it is not God’s word for your people.  I had rather hear a bad (humanly judging) sermon than a borrowed sermon.

Pastor, make time for your study.  Make time for prayer.  Give yourself time to think through a text and to consider what God might have you share with your congregation.  Remember that the two most important tasks we can give ourselves to are “prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Discipline Begets Discipline

An overseer…must be…self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.  Titus 1:7-8

I think it is fair to say that most people would like to be thought of as disciplined individuals.  I’m not sure I have ever met anyone who would say, “I would love to be thought of as disorganized and undisciplined.”  However, the secret we keep, hoping no one will discover, is that we often lack discipline in key areas of our life.

In my life, there are four key areas that I seek to be disciplined:  Spiritually, Intellectually, Physically, and Financially.  Obviously, we all slip from time to time and let areas of discipline slip away.  When we notice that we have slacked in an area, or in several areas, then what do we do?

Well, here is what I have discovered, discipline begets discipline.  If I begin to focus on my physical health it causes me to ask questions about my spiritual health.  When I focus on my spiritual health it causes me to ask questions about my intellectual discipline.  When I consider my intellectual discipline it causes me to consider my financial health.

Today, as you consider the person you want to be and what areas of discipline matter to you, pick the easiest area to attack and get after it.  It won’t be long before you begin to discover other areas are lining up as well.

Getting Things Done

Nearly every day the sun comes up there are things on our to-do lists that we do not want to do.  Sometimes these things are hard, sometimes they are time consuming, and sometimes they are just no fun.  I have found a little secret that works well for me and helps me to plow through the monotony of the lists.  And it’s simple!

First, do the things that are important.  For me these things include reading my Bible, prayer, journaling, making my to-do list for the day, and getting my exercise done.  On most days, this process starts at 5:30 a.m. and is done by the time I arrive at the office between 8 and 8:30 a.m.

Next, I do the things that are hard.  When I arrive at the office I look over my list once again.  I pick out the things that I know I do not want to deal with, and I do them.  Getting these things off of the list does a couple of things for me.  First of all it gets them out of my way.  Second, it gives me a great sense of momentum.

Finally, I do the things that remain on the list but are simple or enjoyable.  Having the list keeps me accountable.  Prioritizing the list makes me productive.  Being productive makes me feel much better about life in general.