As I grow older, my sermon expectations have dropped. Resaid, I have less confidence than I used to regarding the effectiveness of what I preach. The problem isn’t that my sermons aren’t as good as they used to be. The truth be known, I’m probably a better preacher now than I was in the past. What I’ve come to realize is that my early expectations regarding the effect my sermons would have were way too high.
Like a lot of young pastors, I thought my sermons were real life-changers. At least half of those who heard me, if not more, should be markedly different for having listened to what I had to say. Now my expectations are more in the 5% range of those who are truly affected. In all honesty, I believe that’s a fair estimate.
In baseball, if a player bats in the 300s or better he’s truly a star. Far more of the big-leaguers hover around the 250 mark. And let’s face it, there are way more minor-league players than there are those in the American or National Leagues. They’re top-notch athletes; they’re just not the elite.
Yes… the church world also has its superstars. But that number is limited. The vast majority of us are talented but not headliners. We don’t bat in the middle 300s… never will, either. But God called us to play on His team, and we bust our gut for Him.
When I preach nowadays, I’m wanting to see that 5% change. Sometimes great feedback may allow me to think we were up around the 7 or 8% mark. That would be most gratifying. If my average drops to 2 or 3% and no one is even talking about what they heard preached—well, I’m going to look for help.
In the meantime, I’m glad for the spiritual superstars. God bless them. And I’m grateful that sometimes I still get to suit up and play, especially if I get to first at least once.
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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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