Here is the question:
I have a question for each of you preachers. Addressing you via Pastor Kraig's (hopefully with his permission) blog. How do you know weeks, months or even years in advance that God is directing you to do one preaching series after the other, and/or one at all? Just asking. I'm praying for ya'll!!
4 comments:
In the past, there have been several factors:
1) Prayer (This time of year for next year's schedule.)
2) Assessing where we are as a congregation.
3) Re-Visiting our Vision/Mission Statement and our Core-Values
4) Being Culturally Relevant
5) Including Messages that balance between Relationships, Church Development, Christian Life, Spiritual Growth and Discipleship, Missions and Evangelism, Stewardship and Service.
6) Preaching Through a Specific Book
The above was my approach this past year; but I have found it to be more effective (atleast it seems) for me to simply take a book, preach it expositionally, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us with the particular passage each week.
The above 6 things have worked for us; but I am personally more inspired, edified and enhanced through biblical exposition, chapter-by-chapter, verse-by-verse.
I am praying on where I should go (i.e. - Psalms, Psalm 119, Sermon on the Mount, The Epistles, Nehemiah, etc.) For me - this is a strange dilemma.
I am glad Pastor that this works for your congregation. I'm not suggesting that the need for a series isn't the result of answered prayer. I brought this up for constructive DEBATE because I am having a hard time conceiving some things in "my" mind. You may or may not believe how many of us are out here wondering. MANY!
Because of so many "new" trends that are going on these days that are different from the first church and the example of Jesus' ministry, all the way to the 20th & 21st century; I have gathered a collage of questions. Including, who (men and women) that are being called to preach, The number of husband and wife preaching "teams" popping up in "recent" decades. Did God just have a great idea in the middle of the 20th century to start doing this? He thought it more effective and less time consuming to call both at the same time?, and even being inherited in multiple teams in one family unit? Coincidence? or Convenience? Maybe Contagious? Somebody tell me please. If God is the same as He was yesterday, why change now?
I can discern that the Lord would lead into a bible series of study in weekly bible study for growth of #5. But for Sunday morning worship do the man of God still not wrestle with and/or heed the Lord's voice for a given service? Would a series from Sunday to Sunday that is anticipated by the waiting congregation alleviate this process? Not a preacher, and I don't know. I have watched it a LONG time though. Right up to the preaching hour. Could not the Holy Spirit know that another pending need was present and has priority?
As always this is my "two cents" and also a firm opinion. Still want to hear and "know" more from you preachers. Indeed this is helpful for "my" understanding and possibly yours and others as well. I apologize Pastor Kraig for taking so much space on your comment page. I do appreciate you allowing my debate and expressions.
Be blessed.
Well... I am not the "authority" on this subject because I will have to say that my employment of "series" has not been as consistent as seems to be the trend. However, I have had quite a few occasions to do "series." As has been the sentiment of Pastor Kraig Pullam, I would have to say that primary leading of the Lord that I sensed was by way of spiritual need for the congregation has assigned me too. While, quite honestly, one of the imediate benefits of the "series" is the platform for "planned preaching." In light of the many ministerial responsibilities we can get engaged in, to include school, it's always helpful to know what direction and theme is being followed. However, I do understand the sentiment of Mom (Sis. Pullam) as well. There have been several occasions in which I was engaged in the middle of a series and had to divert to deal with a more "imediate" and obvious need of the congregation. I believe that there will be times presented to us where historical events, individual tragedy/challenge, congregational heresy, etc. will require treatment by the undershepherd through the word. However, I have come to intergrate the idea that the two functions don't contradict each other but rather compliment one another.
It is very much beneficial to the Christian education of our congregants to get some form of systematic and inductive study process. For the church to understand bible doctrines, themes, theologies, books, topics holistically, as presented in a "series" has benefits that cannot be denied. Both "series" and "hunt and peck" preaching have their pros and cons. However, in the end, I believe it is the responsibility of the Preacher/Pastor to ascertain that it was given under direction of the Lord Himself.
Yes... Trends and catch phrases can often be the aim rather than direct inspiration from the Father. However, I would like to think that well-thought expositors of the word, who are true to "sound doctrine" (sound coming from a Greek word that has the meaning of health, wholeness) will make certain that whatever is being preached is for the spread of the gospel (outreach), discipleship (inreach), and exaltation of the Lord (upreach).
Well... I have actually just begun to answer in the way I would like. However, I have already said way more than I probably should...
Love,
Kevin
I concur with each of your approaches and positions on series preaching. I think the answer is simple, to minister effectively to a congregation by way of preaching, one must be in tune with both the Spirit of God and the pressing needs of the congregation. This is achieved by prayer and congregational interaction.
I believe that preaching directed by God is both planned and relevant preaching, regardless of how we classify it. I would hope that whether it's classified as series preaching or sporadic preachng, our preaching and teaching is God-breathed.
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