The Ideal Preacher

The Ideal Preacher will have:

- a computer mind that instantly recalls the name of every worshiper and all Bible references;

- a radar nose that can detect each person’s problems even when they don’t share it with him;

- good eyes that of course only see the good in everyone;

- a silver tongue to wax eloquent at any occasion;

- a split personality that can be all business when needed and idealistic, artistic, and sympathetic;

- many feet to be in more than one place at a time;

- automatic ears that can hear when someone is sick without being told;

- big shoulders that can carry everyone’s burdens;

- a strong heart that is not affected by grumblings and complaints;

- many hands to do everything from leading singing to fixing toilets.

Cultivating Christ-Likeness in His Church – Chappell

The following are three steps from Dr. Paul Chappell for a Pastor:

1. Recognize His Headship!

2. Rely upon His Grace!

3. Reflect His Character!

* Learn to serve with a Christ-like Passion, serve with a Christ-like Love and lead with a Christ-like Integrity!

Keys to Church growth – part 3

Perhaps nothing keeps a church small than a small mindset.  Too many churches and Pastor’s think small and therefore will remain that way.  We must think like a larger church.  For example:  You may not need nursery for every Sunday evening service – but you should plan on having a nursery for every Sunday evening service!  You should have someone scheduled to take it, turn the lights on, and look like you are expecting children.  There is nothing worse that having a young couple show up with an infant or toddler in tow and the ladies start discussing between themselves who should take the nursery.  This shows a complete lack of planning and organization.

Dr. Lee Roberson was quoted as having told more than one Pastor to “Pastor your town”.  Make sure people know who you are and where the church is.  Be the pastor the town calls to do a funeral or offer a prayer when they don’t know who else to turn to.

Don’t use a classroom instead of the auditorium on evening services.  Don’t ask for ushers to take up the offering during the service – have them planned before the service begins.  When our church was very small, we had a Sunday School teacher for the primary class and had NO STUDENTS for it.  Every Sunday she came into her class, turned on the lights, had a lesson prepared, and waited at the door for her students until about five minutes after the hour when she would make her way into the adult class.  It wasn’t too many months before she had one, then two, and within a couple years she had double digits in her class.

Think bigger.  God doesn’t want every church to run thousands; we know that.  But God wants us to expect people that need the Gospel to come to church and for us to be ready for them!