Pointers for Preachers: Audio; Article

On the Art & Practice of Preaching: A Leadership Interview with Mark Dever & Garrett Kell [Audio]

Is expositional preaching the only kind of faithful preaching? Are personal illustrations useful or unacceptable? How can preachers encourage obedience without veering toward moralism? In this wide-ranging interview, Garrett Kell talks with Mark Dever on the art and practice of preaching. Listen now

The Most Stressful Part of Pastoring, and Why It Doesn’t Have to Be

“Preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2). But three times a week?

My wife and I had this conversation an hour ago.

I was remarking on the demanding weekend looming before me this Friday morning. Tomorrow morning, I drive 400 miles to North Alabama for the funeral of my oldest friend and former classmate. Later, following the funeral and after visiting with family for an hour or two, I drive to Meridian, Mississippi to spend the night. On Sunday, I will drive to Bryam, Mississippi to preach (and sketch, as always) in the morning and to Louisville to preach/sketch for a afternoon-evening missionary event On Monday, I will drive home and teach at the seminary all that afternoon (a four-hour class, filling in for a professor friend). In all, probably 1200 miles.

I said to her, “I’m so glad I’m preaching familiar sermons. If I had to invent new sermons, the stress would be enormous.”

Margaret observed, “Most people don’t realize that’s one of the greatest stresses of the pastorate–having to come up with three new sermons every week.”

I agreed and continued to think about that. Being out of the pastorate for a full ten years provides a great perspective on these things. (I left the pastorate in 2004 to become leader of the New Orleans Baptist Association for five years. Now in my 6th year of retirement, which means an itinerant ministry.)

Here are my observations on the subject of having to produce several new sermons every week and why that is such a preacher-killer.... Read more