The Greatest Need is not Always Preaching
By Ken Blue
Recently I wrote an article about a pastor who responded to a question about the church’s greatest need, other than prayer and the Word of God. He informed me that the need of his church was more finances. We dealt with that need and suggested some things that might ease that burden. That blog is on this website.
The second greatest need, in most churches, is people to do the work of the ministry. After 40 years of preaching and pastoring, I am convinced that we have been misinformed that preaching is the most important part of the ministry. I am sure, if you love preaching, you will disagree with me and insist that preaching is the most important. I too, believed that for many years. But, as I step back and observe churches, I have changed my mind.
Preaching is a vital part of the ministry, but by itself, it will not produce or develop workers. The right kind of preaching will create a conviction to work in a ministry, but someone must recruit, train, inspire, and assist men and women in their task.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]People want to be an important part of an important organization.[/perfectpullquote]
Before you start preaching about service, decide on as many areas as possible to serve in the church. Have a job description for each ministry so people will know what is expected of them. Two things I learned years ago. People want to be an important part of an important organization. Secondly, “use me or loose me.” Provide training for workers. Make much of how important it is to serve the Lord and others in the church.
Yes, you must have money, but if you aren’t training and using your people, you are failing them. Stop being a one man show and let people serve where they are most fitted and comfortable. Don’t ever citizen them to anyone, rather, help them do a better job. Remember, Jesus preached to the multitudes, but He trained the Twelve.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.