Preach the word! Be ready in season andout of season. 2 Timothy 4.2

The Christian Ministry: Part VI, chapter II
Charles Bridges (1794-1869)
“For, indeed, to maintain a constant recollection of the specific necessities of our people; to decide upon the most suitable course of Scriptural doctrine, exhortation, and comfort; to select the most appropriate vehicles for the presentment of the truth – these are exercises of laborious and persevering diligence.”

As pastors we don’t just preach the Word; we preach the Word of God to the people of God for the building-up of the Church of God unto the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Preaching is for God’s sake, and unto the fulfillment of His purposes, or it is not true preaching at all. True preaching requires “laborious and persevering diligence.” Pastoral ministry, and preaching as a prominent component of that, is an art form. Like a composer, the pastor must appeal to each section and player to make their contribution to the whole at just the right time, in just the right tune and timbre, and always according to the score. Like a painter, the pastor draws from the Scripture palette of colors and textures to paint the canvas of a community of disciples which has the strength and appeal of the work of an Old Master. The more we work to familiarize ourselves with the tools of our trade and the people we serve, the better will be the work of art which ensues from our labors.

In what ways do you try to keep in mind that your ministry of the Word must address “the specific necessities” of the people you are called to serve?

T. M. Moore

Fan into Flame
As shepherds of the Lord’s flocks, we need to make sure we’re actually doing the work God has appointed to us, especially where the Word of God is concerned. Our handbook, Fan into Flame, provides a concise overview of the shepherd’s ministry of the Word, and includes helpful self-evaluation tools, so you can discover areas of needed improvement. Order your copy by clicking here.

Pastoral Hope Initiative
Does it seem that pastors have given up hope of seeing the Kingdom in their community? Do we really expect to see the goodness of the Lord – and His beauty and truth – in the land of the living? In the land where we live? Or is a vision of the church merely one of perpetuating the status quo indefinitely into the future? Where are you in your walk with and work for the Lord? The Pastoral Hope Initiative provides a series of assessments to help you determine where you and your church stand at this time, and how you might begin to move toward a more Kingdom-advancing future. Watch this brief video to find out more.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.