A Short Circuit In The Pulpit
I cannot count the number of times I have explained my anxiety when unable to write sermons far ahead of the time I need to preach them. There is a method to my madness which usually centers on the inability to do advance planning for the illnesses that too often hinder our regular schedules. Since I do not know when this will happen, God blessed me to have good men around me who keep a sermon or two (or more) in reserve against the day an urgent need arises. I am not sure you appreciate the difficulty these men have of preparing a sermon not knowing when I will call their name. For some, the nervousness, the effort, the inexperience, or perhaps even fear is too profound regardless of the level of preparation. I must also consider the people deserve as best a veil of sanctity I can provide by ensuring we stay true to the word.
You may not think such things are in play when I decide to stay in the pulpit when my health may make it better for me to step aside. Our men can supply the pulpit, I have no doubt. However, as gracious as they are and how often they cheerfully surrender their service, I still feel badly about impressing this responsibility on others. At the same time, I know there are men far more capable than I who keep a treasure trove of Solomon’s wisdom juggling about their heads.
These types of thoughts run through my mind on these occasions. There is almost nothing I would rather not do than short circuit a sermon or churn out an inferior product. At the same time, I do not want to sound as if all there is to preaching is a prepared sermon waiting for a suit to put it on. Our Lord calls the man, equips the man, conditions the man, and sends the man. He is to put himself in the position of service for Christ’s honor and glory. God ensures his success but not without the full surrender to this duty as the Master requires.
Where does this leave the brother who is there to help his pastor? I have tremendous respect for him. He does what I cannot do and as far as I know our Lord may gift him to stand where I am uncomfortable standing. They honor their opportunities by preparing a sermon that they too may have saved for weeks before receiving the call informing them of their time to serve.
I began our little dialogue by explaining my anxieties when unable to do the kind of preparation that makes me comfortable enough in my own skin to stand before this congregation. I remember hearing a pastor several years ago explaining the ability to stand and preach without even bothering to gather a thought. From that day forward, I never cared much for his preaching because I could never gather enough from it to think about.
I am certain of this—I need help. No, I am not good enough at this to think the Lord would be satisfied without my effort. I do not put the same ingredients into the preaching that He does, but what I am supposed to input I better put in. This is as well the means that God uses for His word to prosper wherever He sends it.
Pastor V. Mark Smith