When it comes to basic matters related to the ministry, I am not a procrastinator. It’s more natural for me to be ahead of time rather than late. So when a pastor asked me for advice on overcoming procrastination, I was somewhat at a loss as to what to say.

Trying to get a better handle on where he was coming from, I asked if he could be more specific. On what aspects of his work was he usually behind? His answer was that it was his sermon preparation.

Now, I procrastinate when it comes to things like filling out my income-tax forms. Sometimes I procrastinate in regard to completing projects around the house. But I had a hard time identifying with this person’s problem of procrastination as it relates to sermon preparation.

Then my wife reminded me about my early years as a pastor, and my all-too-many late-Saturday-night sessions. That was pure agony with me asking myself repeatedly, What is it I’m really trying to say? All too often I didn’t know the answer by Sunday morning service time.

Each of those session was like an exquisitely painful torture! So what changed things? It was coming up with the idea of early on in the sermon-preparation process figuring out two things:

1. What’s my sermon’s “Subject”?
2. What’s the “Response” I’m calling for?

If early in the week I knew exactly where I was headed with these two elements of the sermon, I had a great jump start on everything else. I could then usually figure out how to help people with the “How-Tos,” or suggestions for putting into practice the given desired response.

Anyway, that was a turning point in my ministry. And, it eventually made it possible for me to handle the rigorous schedule of six radio broadcasts a week plus the five half-hour television programs I was doing weekly, as well.

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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At various times, pastors open up to me about certain “panics” they experience. For example, getting late into a given week and still not knowing what to preach about on the Sunday coming up is one matter. Another, that’s slightly different, is having decided on what the passage of the topic will be, but then having little or nothing of value to preach concerning it.

I’m one who believes the Holy Spirit will occasionally respond quickly and beautifully with a great sermon idea even when a preacher pushes the “panic button.” Then again, I have even greater confidence in the Spirit’s ability to give clear guidance during a planning session concerning the church preaching calendar held months ahead of time. If pushed to say which scenario I prefer, it would be the latter.

For me, planning well in advance tends to eliminate the last-minute panic of what to preach about. To be more specific, I would always like to know what the Sunday sermon subjects are at least two or three months out. As of today’s date, I’d want the sermon topics pretty much decided on for now through the end of June.

Knowing where everything is headed gives me a longer opportunity to gather materials, a longer opportunity for thoughts to mature, and a longer opportunity for me to hold significant conversations with others on the chosen texts or topics. And to me, these represent key factors that keep the panic attacks in check.

This doesn’t mean everything is set in stone well in advance. Changes could always be made, but there need to be compelling reasons why.

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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This week a friend, whose Kingdom influence dwarfs mine, asked me to evaluate a significant ministry piece he had just completed. He said he would call in a day or two, and expected me to be honest in my evaluation.

I prayed long and hard about my response. On the positive side, parts of what was done were extremely good. In my opinion, however, other aspects of the project were flawed. Because he truly wanted to know my thoughts, I determined to be straightforward in everything I said.

I believe his openness to the thoughts of others he respects is one of the reasons my friend’s ministry has been so influential. He doesn’t feel he knows everything, and therefore he probably seeks the opinion of those he values.

By way of contrast, over the years I have known any number of church leaders who pretend to be open to constructive criticism but really aren’t. I can tell, because they go on doing things exactly as they always have. When I’ve subsequently pointed this out, they’ve made excuses.

But now, because I know nothing is going to change, I’m reluctant to share my thoughts when such individuals ask for them. So, I graciously turn down their requests to meet. I know what I will say isn’t really going to make any difference.

I wonder which category you would fit in—those open to constructive criticism or those closed to such critiques? My guess is that over time this could have something to do with how influential your ministry is on behalf of Christ and His Kingdom.

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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Over time, most ministers become quite skilled in regard to the matter of talking. That’s good, especially when you take into account that preaching makes up a good part of their job description.

As this talking talent improves, however, there comes a time when ministers should also begin working on listening. Unfortunately, I know too many pastors who haven’t matured in this fashion, and that’s not good.

Church members are content to let their pastor do all the talking when he or she is in the pulpit. But they’re reluctant to allow that pattern to continue in other settings. Are you someone who tends to dominate just about all conversations?

Has your spouse ever said to you something like, “You talked tonight more than everyone else in the room combined”?

Has an older member of your congregation ever been bold enough to say, “Pastor, you talked way too much in the meeting! Let some other people share their opinion before you jump in”?

More important still, have you recently sensed the Holy Spirit prompting you to let other people share their thoughts before you blurt out yours?

Good listening skills are usually not taught in seminary. Maybe it would be good if they were. But over time, you can pick them up on your own. Like all disciplines, being a good listener usually takes a while to master. But it can be done.

I know. It’s something I’ve really struggled to get good at!

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Please click here to visit David Mains’ Sermon-Coach.com website.

You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Please click here.

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