There are two schools of thought when it comes to preaching. The first is that preaching isn’t all that important, compared to your ministry throughout the week. The second is that preaching is everything.
The Scripture consistently challenges the Church to preach the Word. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, all pastors should be seeking to make their preaching better.
Allow me to offer three suggestions about ways to improve your preaching:
1. Clarify the characteristics of good preaching
Consider these three: Is it faithful? Is it passionate? Is it compelling? Did you help people to know Jesus more, to love Jesus more and to follow Jesus? This framework can help you evaluate the sermons you are preaching.
2. Create a culture where sermon feedback is welcomed and weekly.
Ask for wins and opportunities and offer those to other leaders in your church who are preaching as well. Even if you don’t want feedback, you need it. Ask people in different contexts for feedback to hear from different areas of your church. Regularly asking for feedback encourages your team that you want to improve and that you are approachable.
3. Preach a lot and in various settings.
You have to get in your reps to improve. Preach anywhere you have the opportunity. This also helps you get more comfortable leading in front of a crowd. Anytime you can handle a mic or get in front of a crowd, do it – if you want to grow as a communicator. This is God giving you an opportunity to learn to find your voice in a different direction. Even if it isn’t your week to preach, look for other ways to communicate, like giving the announcements or talking at a training event.
Excerpted from the New Churches Podcast. To learn more about important topics in church planting, listen to the podcast here.
Published September 21, 2022