Strangers & Aliens

In my youthful arrogance (!) I used to think that preaching was the great task which needed to be underpinned with prayer ("I hope the preacher is praying" and, in more selfless moments "Lord, I am praying for the preacher and preaching"). It never really crossed my mind that leading needs exactly the same preparation. I am a reasonable musician - I can craft and lead a service fairly well at short notice (probably on the hoof); my first pastor said that I could always be relied upon to pray (though he may have expressed it as "never short of words"!!). This leading thing? I can do it with my eyes closed.

Wrong.

Wrong.

Wrong.

Proud.

And wrong.

I have since repented of my youthful exuberance (otherwise called pig-headed ignorance and pride). Go read Hebrews 12.18-29. Jesus our High Priest makes it possible to come to the Father, but not, in one sense, comfortable. Possible, not comfortable. It is an awesome task to lead God's people in worship.

It takes time, of course. I spend 8-12 hours on an average sermon (if there is such a thing) and around 2-3 hours preparing to lead a meeting. I don't know if that is typical, lightweight or over-the-top in your view, but it takes time.

It also takes prayer. Lots of it. It is a spiritual work and it needs to be underpinned with prayer. As you will have already gathered, some of this is is prayer to guard my own heart and pride. But I also confess my total reliance on the Spirit. I am aware that every word spoken from the front of church comes across at a teachable moment.

That's right. Your prayers, attitude, choice of songs, joining passages, testimonies, balance... everything teaches. How can you not confess entire dependence on the Spirit and be much in prayer before and after? Get others to help you in this work. Perhaps in your church the members pray for the preacher often? Good. How often do they pray for the one who will lead the service? Get them doing this too.

Frankly, if your heart is anything like mine, you need it.

Oh, but I am open to the prompting of the Spirit and allow him to guide me and lead me as he sees fit; I don't need to invest time and prayer before - just make sure that I am willing to be an instrument of his at the moment of the meeting.

I have heard that lots. I am all for openness to the immediate promptings of the Spirit, but frankly if your preacher stood up and said the same thing ("I haven't done any preparation because I am open to the Spirit!") then you would sack him. Leading is the same.

If a leader has not and is not spiritually prepared to lead, he must not be allowed to lead.

Period.