This post is contributed by Travis Ambrose, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Roseau, MN, USA. About a three-minute read.
I came across an article recently titled, “Good Preaching Takes Hard Work.” *
Early in the article there was a quote from a pastor in Indiana who said, “Much of what we call ‘technology’ does not actually help us become more productive at our work but rather does our work for us. While claiming to help us become more efficient, this sort of technology actually trains us to do little or nothing at all.” The article continued to talk about the call to labor in ministry specifically in the ministry of teaching and preaching.
The article has caused me to ponder a bit.
I can teach a Bible study without ever teaching anything myself but by simply clicking a “play” button. You can order curriculum for all age groups that gives you everything from introduction, “Say this _________,” to “Discussion Questions.” With a simple Google search, you can find endless sermon series ideas, pre-made packaged materials, as well as sermon manuscripts ready to be printed and preached.
Is it wrong to use a DVD study, or learn from others teaching? Surely not, but are “time saver” tools and the abundance of prepackaged material all they are cracked up to be? Are we training ourselves to be dependent on others rather than dependent on the Holy Spirit? Are we quenching our own passion that comes from our personal study of the Word and the Spirit’s revelation that comes in it? Do we not depend as deeply on prayer for God to reveal, teach and empower when an idea is only a “click” away? Has the roll of “minister” so far transitioned that spending adequate time in preparation and prayer simply isn’t an option? Or has the desire for ease led us down a path of least resistance rather than the down the path of hard work?
Taking a trip from Point A to Point B on the most direct route may get you there. But what beauty and treasures are missed when you fail to get off the highway and take some rough dirt roads.
Hmm . . . maybe good preaching does take hard work!
Thoughts to ponder . . . and pray over.
*Mathis, David. “Good Preaching Takes Hard Work.” Desiring God, 23 October 2022, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/good-preaching-takes-hard-work.