Sermon Preparation, 3

One of the greatest things pastors do to preach with God-honoring excellence is...NOT preach. Strategically, intentionally choosing when and where NOT to preach has resulted in some of the greatest seasons of creativity, passion, and effectiveness that I've ever experienced as a communicator. But you have to be really wise about it. There are some keys to remember when taking time off:

1. Schedule it only after a new ministry season is underway and running on its own steam. For example, the Sunday after Easter is an opportunity to reconnect with those folks who came Easter and decided to come back and see what it's really like. Good time for the primary teacher to be in the saddle.
2. Do the upfront work of developing and anointing other teachers. For your time out of the pulpit/off the stage to be truly time off, you have to know that the responsibility of God-honoring preaching/leading has just been handed off well and not fumbled. The lead pastor/teacher/preacher is still accountable for what happens in the preaching even though he/she isn't there. (And, the ultimate test of leadership always happens in the leader's absence.)
3. It strengthens your family. They need to experience the tangible evidence that they matter more to you than your job. Nothing communicates that more effectively than time. It is a great object lesson that needs no words that helps them appreciate, enjoy, and respect their spouses'/parents' calling rather than resent it.
4. Some issues are best left only to the senior pastor. The delivery of new vision/direction for the whole church, sermons about money, strong calls to repentance...these and other "big-picture" leadership issues are best delivered by, and received from, the senior pastor. It's a responsibility thang.

Preaching is one of the things that I LOVE about what God allows me to do. But, the reality is that Sunday is relentless. No matter what else happens, what leadership issues arise, what pastoral or personal crises need attention, Sunday is ALWAYS coming. And, to pray, prepare to preach demands big blocks of time. There is no short cut, no matter how long you've been doing it. Over a 2-3 month window, that takes a toll emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually.

Time off and away from the weekly grind and blessing of sermon preparation refuels, recharges, and refreshes. And it's MANDATORY that a church not become dependent upon one voice to be the only reliable deliverer of God's word and leading. And, in this case, if it helps the pastor, it helps the church.

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