There will be many things you will do as you begin your new ministry assignment, and I trust it will be met with equal passion. However, your primary assignment of preaching the Word of God will be one of the first connections you will have with the flock God has called you to minister to. How can you love them well through your preaching? Here are at least five ways to do so:
1. Be Biblical
It may seem simple, but you must preach the Bible! Let the Word set the tone and agenda for your preaching and teaching. The late, great pulpiteer Dr. Adrian Rogers said, “The Bible is God’s love letter to His children. If you don’t understand it, it’s because you’re reading someone else’s mail.”[1]
This quote from Dr. Rogers hits the preacher in two ways. First, while not the immediate topic of this article, you must read, meditate, and memorize the Scriptures. Second, you must communicate what God has said to your congregation by preaching the Scriptures. Indeed, in these two disciplines, you will truly understand the love of God in Christ—knowing Christ and preaching Christ! While you will consult commentaries and other resources, you must tell your congregation what God has said. That will only happen by going to the Word, studying the Word, and preaching the Word.
There is no greater way to love your flock well than by faithfully preaching the Word of God. As Paul said to Timothy, “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4:2)
2. Be You
Upon arriving at your new ministry assignment, you must keep in mind and heart that God has called you to that assignment. Many preachers may not struggle with this, but you may face the temptation throughout your preaching ministry to be somebody you are not. Herein lies an essential reason for simply preaching the Word. You do not have to be creative or a copycat—just go to the Book! It is crucial to start well by starting genuinely. You will prove your love through preaching by simply being you, and that means you will have to resist the temptation of being the preacher down the road or on the radio. In Christ, be who you are and allow God to work.
This is love that ultimately underscores a genuineness of ministry that the preaching of the Word of God establishes with the flock. Starting well means you will be comfortable with your preaching, seek to improve it as God leads, and repent of being anybody you are not. Certainly, this does not mean you have a license to be lazy or ignore important aspects of the preaching ministry. All preachers are a work in progress and should strive to continually improve—but be you. The congregation deserves the best version of you as a preacher.
3. Be Compassionate
Someone once said, “There is a hurting heart on every pew.” One does not have to be in ministry long at all to discover this. Moreover, as you exposit the Word of God, preach with the heart of a shepherd, proving your love for those God has entrusted you to feed. Understand that folks are experiencing almost every walk and season of life and love them well in the moments you preach.
It is hard to describe in words how this can happen because the “moment of truth” in the preaching hour is a supernatural moment. However, here are a few “tips” on how you can be compassionate. First, understand that there are people who are just trying to make it in life, and they will sit before you each time you stand before them. This is not a seminary classroom; it’s the church. Second, make eye contact with your people, connecting with the potential pain and/or disruptions people are struggling with. Finally, as the Scriptures provide opportunity, use illustrations that can be helpful in times of conflict or trouble.
4. Be Passionate
Even as you are compassionate, be passionate! You have an important and eternal truth to share each time you stand. The timeframe you must preach the Word is arguably the most important moments a person will face on this side of eternity. Let the eternal Word set you on fire and then preach it with fire! There is no place for a boring sermon.
You will love your flock through preaching by asking the Holy Spirit to stir your heart and affections for Christ and His Word. This will happen by understanding that this is an eternal Word, and people’s eternity hangs in the balance. Passion will be exemplified in calling people to make a decision for Christ by offering an invitation to receive Him. There is no greater love than what God has shown us in Christ, and there is nothing more loving than you preaching Christ and compelling people to follow Him as Lord and Savior by repenting of their sin and receiving Him by faith.
5. Be Connected
By making connections with the past, celebrating moments where God has worked or is working, and guiding the church into the future will prove to be a very loving exercise in your preaching ministry. The more time you spend around the sheep, the more you will understand what they celebrate, what struggles they face, which Books of the Bible they love, and the challenges they encounter. You will also become aware of the areas of discipleship that God may direct you to address through the pulpit ministry.
By being connected with your flock, your preaching will be significantly enhanced. Consequently, as you build those relationships through your ongoing ministry among your people, you will discover that your preaching will be more relatable. The sheep will be reminded that their under-shepherd knows where they are. Contextual awareness goes a long way when you stand before your people week after week. Bottom line: you are not a hireling. You will prove your love to the flock through preaching by being connected with your people, to your congregation, and within your community. It matters.
These five ways are certainly not exhaustive but rather a good starting point to starting well in proving your love for your flock through preaching. Preach the Word, be yourself, be compassionate, be passionate, and remain connected with your congregation and trust God to deepen your love for your flock.
[1] Adrianisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Adrian Rogers, 29.
Photo by Nycholas Benaia on Unsplash
