It’s not an easy conclusion to come to, but it’s the right one. Pastors need to be convinced that their listeners are a better judge than they are of the effectiveness of their sermons. My guess is that this statement didn’t go down all that well. But, it’s important to think this through.
Ask a preacher how beneficial a given sermon is, and most often, his or her response will be quite different from the average pew-sitter.
Let me add a second tough statement. Parishioners are also better than their minister at knowing what their own spiritual needs are. The gap between the average pastor’s life—where his or her greater amount of time is given to spiritual matters—is markedly different from that of the average congregation member, whose responsibilities are much more diverse.
Once you are convinced about these matters—that listeners are a better judge of your sermons than you, and they’re also better than you at knowing what their spiritual needs are—you will wisely seek their input in your sermon-preparation and sermon-evaluation process.
It only makes sense. Disagree with what I’ve written, and the chances are that you will continue following a policy of doing your own sermon preparation and sermon evaluation mainly without their help.
So, in which category do you fall? Do you actively seek the help from the members of your congregation, or do you pretty much ignore them?
In preparation for this coming week’s sermon, have you talked with anyone about this topic, or phoned anyone, or emailed anyone for their input, or has your sermon preparation been done exclusively on your own?
If the latter is still your situation, how might your normal pattern be adjusted in the coming weeks?
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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.
