As we wrap up 2025, I want to leave you with some simple advice that I was given from my preaching professor at seminary. And that advice is this… always say yes when asked to preach. Unless there is a valid reason why you can’t do it (for example, if you are going to be out of town on a family vacation), there really shouldn’t be a reason to decline an opportunity to preach.
Believe it or not, this advice is not as obvious as you might think. I know of a Lead Pastor who once went to one of his Associate Pastors and asked him, “Hey, would you be willing to preach on this particular date?” And rather than the Associate Pastor immediately saying “Yes,” he deflected. His response was, “Let me think about it and get back to you.” A few days later, he went back to his Lead Pastor and said, “After spending some time thinking about, I think I’ll pass.”
When asked why, the Associate Pastor explained that there wasn’t really anything in it for him. He even said, “What’s the point? It’s just extra work without extra pay.” In his mind, preaching was transactional. If he wasn’t going to get anything for it, why would he do it? As you can imagine, when other key leaders found out about this, they began to question his call. If he truly had the call of God on his life, and was serving on staff at that church as a full-time Associate Pastor, why would he respond that way? Needless to say, for a variety of reasons (including this situation), that Associate Pastor was eventually dismissed from his church.
A long time ago, I told my Lead Pastor that I would always say yes when he asked me to preach (assuming I was in town). I didn’t want him to ever worry that I would respond that way. And, he has told me multiple times how much he appreciates that about me. It gives him confidence that he can always count on me. And I can promise you, that is a huge blessing for any Lead Pastor. And, if I am honest, I enjoy it as well. I consider it a joy to preach.
So, my encouragement to you is the same. Always say yes when asked to preach. If you are a man of God who has been called by God, then be willing to preach the word of God to the people of God.
I hope you have a great Christmas! |
