In my mind, it is as clear as if it happened yesterday. It was forty years ago during one of my last trips home before my graduation from Freed Hardeman University. We had just accepted an invitation to work full time with a beautiful group of God’s people in North Alabama (We are eternally grateful to the good people of the Midway Church of Christ).
On that trip home, I asked my Dad if we could talk. We went into his bedroom and had a great visit. I said to Dad, “What is the best advice you can give to a young preacher who is about to begin his first work?” In his typical fashion, Dad thought for what seemed like a long time before he spoke. I was waiting for a profound, lengthy answer. Finally, Dad said, “Preach the Word, and love the people.”
Of course, I didn’t say it to him, but I thought, “Is that all you’ve got? Please give me something more, something practical?” Little did I know how much those words would come to mean to me. They have proven true time and time again through the years.
I have repeated these words to preachers (particularly younger preachers) numerous times. Our preaching and ministry truly can be boiled down to these two simple yet profound statements.
When you’ve just been fired or when you are worried you might be, preach the Word, and love the people. When you are in a difficult battle with elders, preach the Word, and love the people. When your Church family is in crisis and seems divided, preach the Word, and love the people. When you lose a child, your spouse, or a close friend, preach the Word, and love the people. When you are wondering if you need to quit, preach the Word, and love the people.
Thank you for what you do for Jesus and His Church. Thank you for preaching the Word and loving the people.
