Here’s the last thing in this short series of posts about preachers, myself in particular, and all preachers generally. These thoughts have come from reflection and introspection I’ve done generally over the past 17 years and specifically over the past five or six weeks as to why I keep doing what I do. I pray these thoughts have helped you better understand me. If I’m not your preacher, I hope they help you better relate to your preacher at your church.

The preacher is a member of your congregation. He is not a hired gun brought in to preach and grow the church, he is not a fundraiser or a change-agent, and he is not a motivational speaker. He and his family are committed members of your congregation.

The preacher does not enter the pulpit on Sundays from a secret door backstage or sit by himself on the front pew until it’s time for him to perform. The preacher is a fully invested and equal member of the church body. He rises from the midst of the congregation to proclaim what the church believes and what the church needs to hear. Typically, the preacher has moved his whole family to this town to be a member of this church and to give himself to the relationships and the mission of this church.

He is gifted by God and ordained by his fellow Christ-followers to faithfully study and pray and speak his Word to them. As one of them. He challenges them and teaches them; they keep him straight and encourage him. It’s a partnership. He worships and serves and shares life with the other members of the community of faith. He needs the church as much as they need him. As much as we need each other. It’s not a one-way deal.

Peace,

Allan