One of the most important responsibilities of a pastor is preaching. If this is true, the pastor must be intentional in how he goes about preparing to preach. Therefore, one of the most important disciplines of a pastor is establishing his preaching schedule. This is true whether the preacher is strictly expository preaching, book by book and verse by verse, or strictly topical preaching, or something in between. There are many reasons for establishing a preaching schedule. Allow me to share three, with a keyword being balance.
One of the most important disciplines of a pastor is establishing his preaching schedule.
Balanced Content
The first reason to establish a preaching schedule is that it helps provide balanced content. In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:27, Paul declared he did not shrink from sharing the whole counsel of God. We can all be found guilty of speaking on topics that are more personal, passages that are more familiar, or genres we find more comfortable. Taking time to plan your messages in advance allows you to balance time spent in the Old Testament and New Testament. It allows you to see all the different topics or themes that are being covered. It helps you see how to balance book studies, biographic studies, and topical studies.
Balanced Types
An intentional preaching schedule also helps you balance the types of messages you preach. In John 1:39, Jesus said to “come and see,” but in Matthew 16:24, he basically said, “Go and die.” This is another way that unless the preacher is intentional, he will default to his natural type of sermon focused either on discipleship or evangelism. Both types of messages need to be preached today but in a balanced effort. This is how a church can balance both depth and breadth. The author of Hebrews uses the illustration of milk and meat to differentiate between types of teaching (Hebrews 5:11-14). Peter challenged his listeners to grow both in grace and knowledge (II Peter 3:18). As you are planning, some messages should be more evangelistic, some should be more growth-oriented, and some should be both.
Balanced Tone
Having a balanced tone in your messages can also be accomplished with an intentional preaching schedule. Paul, in speaking to the Corinthian church, said those with the gift of preaching should edify, exhort, and comfort their people (I Corinthians 14:3). Each of these requires different tones and should be balanced throughout the year in your preaching. The Greek word for edification in this passage comes from two words: to build and house. It carries the metaphorical idea of erecting a building. When the preacher is edifying, he is building people spiritually to maturity. The word exhort is a motivation to strengthen. The word carries the idea of a person coming alongside to help another. Sometimes, when exhorting, you are stepping on toes, spiritually speaking. The third tone mentioned by Paul is a consolation of sadness. This is the only time this Greek word is used in the New Testament. This is when the preacher empathizes with his congregation and comforts those listening.
Paul, in speaking to the Corinthian church, said those with the gift of preaching should edify, exhort, and comfort their people (I Corinthians 14:3).
Again, the keyword in the preacher’s preparation is balance. Unfortunately, this is a challenge for many preachers today. The principle from Proverbs 24:27 of planning and preparing before you build your house is true in the long-term spiritual development of a church. And in this planning, one must balance sermon content, sermon types, and sermon tone.
Excellent and on point, Randy!