Nearly Impossible
A recent TJI Research project asked preacher’s what their Sunday morning pre-service routine look like. While I wish more had taken it (you still can HERE) what we learned about you is so very beautiful.
What I am most amazed at is that with almost one voice we all have similar “playlists” of activities, we do the same stuff. This is fascinating because there is no template for this. No one told these guys what to do with that 1 to 6 hours pre-service, we’ve never seen a course that tells how to do this, we’ve never even heard a discussion about the pre-sermon routine for preachers. Yet we all fall into remarkably similar and beautiful routines.
He Gets up early: Some as early as 3 am, but most of us get up between 5-6:30 am.
He Prays: Almost every preacher talked about their prayers before the lesson. For most it was the first thing they did. For some, they mentioned praying multiple times before the sermon, some met with others to pray, others had a standard prayer they pray while driving to the building. Here are two that express who we are well: “I pray for guidance and strength and the boldness to speak the truth in love.” And “I work on getting things out of my heart if there any iniquity there.”
He Reviews - a lot! Some go over notes as many as 4 times, a few mentioned preaching the sermon up to three times Sunday morning before they preach it to the assembly, Some wait till Sunday morning to put their PowerPoint together so it will be fresh in their minds and others just review key passages, but almost all do some review.
He Shows up early: While one gets to the building 3.5-4 hours before the service and a few get there 15-30 minutes before, most get there around an hour before the service begins. We visit. Greet, Welcome. Interact. Do the little things like check mic batteries, temperature, and unlock doors. Our guys are not “ivory tower” preachers hanging out in a green room pre-sermon, or isolating. We are with the people and we are making sure everything is ready.
He Praises God: A lot of you sing on the way to the building.
He Greets People: Did I mention that already? Yep, but it needs more attention. The attention you guys give to people stands out. You greet guests, talk to people who are hurting, visit with members.
We are thankful for how you do what you do and pray you’ll be encouraged to know that your preaching brothers are with you on this. One comment may define most of us: “it always seems like a impossible mountain to climb, and some how I always get up their.” This encompasses the effort, the struggle, the humility, and the dependance of our ministers. We love you all. Don’t quit.