Some time ago I posted a question on a Social Networking Q&A site.  The question was, “What do you expect from your minister (preacher)?  Here are some of the answers I received:

• He is someone who is dedicated to following Christ. He cares more about people than image, he is a servant rather than a celebrity. He is not power-hungry, but is willing to delegate tasks and trust people, even when they do things differently than he would have them done. He is willing at times to say “no” and make sacrifices so that he is able to meet the emotional needs of his family.
• He is willing to admit when he’s made a mistake. And he is also quick to forgive those around him. As a member, it is easier for me to grow in Christ because I know that I am deeply, genuinely loved. That I am accepted as is, but encouraged to grow.
• He has close, open friendships where he is able to be honest about anything in his life. He honors and respects his wife.
• He is willing to laugh at himself, and by this example I can learn a little about how to laugh at myself too.
• In his sermons he passes on stories that lift people up–nice things his wife, children, and folks in the congregation have done…
• He sees people for who they are. He is not a big talker, but he is an encourager and a good listener.
• He tries to model his ministry after the image of Jesus washing His disciples feet. He makes it his goal to always be the lowest person in the room, to always be serving those around him, just as Christ served us and gave himself for us.
• He prays. He prays a lot. And he devours the scripture.
• He isn’t trying to share some sort of theoretical faith he’s learned about in his head. Rather, it’s a faith he is living–“join me in following Christ.”
• He sees himself as equipping all members for ministry. He is not there to entertain us or to make us happy; he is there to help, teach, and encourage us, so that we can be the best ministers we can be to those around us in whatever role we find ourselves in.

What Does the Bible Say about Preachers?

The Apostle Paul was in many ways a “pulpit preacher.”  He spent three years located and serving with the Church in Ephesus.  He describes his time there to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20.  By looking at his words, we can get an idea of what the pulpit is about: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” (Acts 20:18-21, 27b – ESV).

Paul instructs a younger minister, his son in faith, Timothy, encouraging him in the following ways: “ . . . For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth – 1 Tim 2:5-7.

. . .  But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness – 1 Tim 6:11.

 . . . Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth – 2 Tim 2:15.

 . . . Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will – 2 Tim 2:23-36.

 . . . preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry – 2 Tim 4:2-5.”

What Do We Learn from the Scriptures?

The Pulpit is not:

1. A venue for your soap box or personal point of view.
2. An avenue to vent anger or to speak to one individual’s struggle.
3. A place to push your political standings.  There are times to take moral stands, but preach the morality issue and do not make it a political speech.  Do not tell people how to vote, tell them what God says and let them decided what to do.
4. A way to make a living.  You can make a living while filling a pulpit, but do not enter ministry just to make a living.  My Bible College instructors were quick to tell us if we could make a living doing something else, then do it.

Preachers, here is what the congregation should expect from you:

1. Sound teaching:  Make sure you are expounding the text and not reading into the text what you already believe.
2. Studied material: A good sermon takes time to study, write, review, edit, and reflect before presentation.
3. Significance: Sermons should have an impact on people lives.  Messages need to have significance to the listener.  This requires knowledge of peoples lives by being available to them.
4. Simplicity:  Theological babble sounds good and impresses other preachers at lectureships, but keep weekly sermons simple.  The educational level in most congregation varies from children to well educated adults.  Try to reach each group where they are.
5. Servant mentality:  A preacher is not the controlling officer of the congregation.  He is a servant of the congregation where he worships and works. Look for opportunities and be ready to serve when called upon.

Church, here some things you can do for the minister in return:

1. Time to study:  Those that fill the pulpit full-time receive support so that they can spend extra time in study.  A number of years ago I stopped referring to the room I use at the building or the area of my home as my office, but as my study.  When someone asks me if I have “office hours”  I reply, “I am usually in my study at the building” during certain hours.  Using the word study lets them know what I am doing while there, and keeps me from becoming a manager of church affairs.
2. Taking lessons to heart and action:  I love the story about a preacher who presented a lesson on Going the Second Mile in Love.  One lady who always complained about others not treating her well, shook his hand saying, “that was a great lesson.”  “Thank you,” he replied, “How are you going to put love in action this week?”  
3. Toleration: One person cannot be in more than one place at a time.  “I called the building, but no one answered” and “That preacher never visits” are expectations that should not co-exist, but do.
4. Togetherness in service:  Every member is a servant “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another . . .” 1 Pet 4:10.

    – Scott

What have I missed?