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GOOD PREACHING AIN’T GOOD PASTORING

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By Ken Blue

Bible colleges may be turning out good men who can preach, but most of them get an “F” when it comes to producing men who know how to pastor. One of the reasons for this failure is that none of the teachers or professors are pastors themselves; they are only textbook educators.

The dictionary definition of “preaching” is to deliver a sermon. However, Vines says the “pastor” is: “a shepherd, one who tends herds or flocks” (not merely one who feeds them), is used metaphorically of Christian “pastors,” Eph. 4:11. “Pastors” guide as well as feed the flock; cp. Acts 20:28, which, with ver. 17, indicates that this was the service committed to elders (overseers or bishops); —Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Preaching then, is one part of pastoring. It is the feeding aspect of the ministry.

If a young man thinks winning a soul to Christ or standing on the street corner preaching will qualify him to pastor; he is in for a rude awaking once he becomes the pastor. To be sure, soul winning and preaching are vital parts of the ministry, but they are just a part of it. I personally know many young men who are outstanding preachers and great soul winners, but their church never grows beyond 15 people. The number one reason for this is their lack of pastoring skills.

On the other hand, I know men who pastor large churches; but they are not outstanding preachers or teachers. The average response to this fact, by those who have not learned to pastor, is that those pastors with the larger churches are not giving the flock biblical meat; while the reason his own church is not growing is because the people can’t take strong Bible preaching.

If a pastor is killing his flock with strong meat, wouldn’t he be wise to feed them milk until they are mature enough for the meat? If you are adding new converts to your church each week, your task is to bring them from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. This takes time, patience, and know-how. How do you get a person from where he is spiritually to where you want him to be spiritually? That is what pastoring is all about. Your deep sermons, alone, will not do it.

I recommend that a young man work for a pastor who knows how to pastor his flock. He should commit to at least five years and involve himself, over time, in every aspect of the ministry. If you can’t learn the things you need in Bible College; learn them from a pastor who is building a good church.

Finally, let me assure you that I do not believe a church is spiritual because it is large or small. However, some smaller churches could increase in members and maturity if the pastor would determine to learn all he can about pastoring and leadership. He must understand that preaching ability and pastoring are two completely different things.

DELEGATE OR ABDICATE?

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By Ken Blue

An employee said to his boss, “I’m doing the work of ten men, I want a raise.” His boss responded, “Tell me who the other ten are, and I’ll fire them.” Sometime the pastor feels like he is the only one doing the work in the church and in some cases that is true.

I’ve seen pastors who are busy doing everything at the church. There are several reasons for this. One is, they believe they are getting paid to do them. Another is, they like doing those things. Many pastors think none of the members are willing or are capable of doing church work.

I know many pastors who open every letter, turn the lights and heat on and off, and they unlock and lock the buildings at every service. Some mow the laws, vacuum the carpets, straighten up the auditorium, lead the singing, print the bulletin, make the announcements, take the offering, preach the sermon, and then wonder why they are about to have a nervous breakdown.

The key to solving this problem is to acknowledge that a problem existence and then fix it. Sad to say, some pastors don’t know how to fix it. I was one of those pastors for a few years. Just before I burnt out, I discovered the secret.

None of us are too important to do the list of things above, but the sooner the pastor realizes that none of them are his job, the easier it will be for him to get about the main task God called him to do.

The pastor should write down every task he is doing. Then he should mark things that could be done by someone else. Pray and ask God to show you those within the church to whom the task could given. If someone can do the task half as well as you, give it to them. With training and your help, they will get better. Give away everything you can to faithful men and women. You cannot give away your responsibility for the overall ministry of the church, but you must give responsibility with each task. Let each person know exactly what is expected and then meet often, if necessary, to see that it is done.

Delegation and abdication are two completely different things. You delegate in order to train others to serve Christ; and so you will be able to do more ministry leadership. Those who abdicate, abandon ministries and the workers in order to do less. They are selfish and lazy, and their sin will find them out.

Pastor, your church and your people will never grow spirituality if you don’t learn the fine art of delegation. Many who are excellent preachers and Bible teachers are not doing a good job as pastors. “And he gave …pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12. Your job is to perfect the believers for the work of the ministry. This takes far more than knowledge of the Bible. There are dozens of ways to teach men and women how to do the ministry. So, start now by giving jobs to every person you can.

(If this article was helpful, you should read the author’s book, How To Assist Your Pastor).

THE SIGN MINISTRY

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THE SIGN MINISTRY
By Ken Blue

Pastor Al Hughes shared with me this week the sign ministry they have instituted in their church. The results have been rewarding, with new visitors each Sunday. Sign ministry is not new by any means, but its introduction as part of Bible Baptist Church, Port Orchard, WA. is new to their church. sign-waving-5sign-waving-18

Pastor Hughes tells me he would recommend the sign ministry to every church, and that his own people have eagerly participated in it. He assures me every church could have and should have a sign ministry, if they want the un-churched to attend.
If one wishes to institute a sign ministry to reach the lost, the following steps must be followed.

1. The pastor must understand its purpose and how it is to work
2. He must sell the idea to his congregation and get as many people involved as possible.
3. Professional signs must be first class and be ready for those who participate.
4. These signs must convey the message you are trying to communicate. Examples used by Bible Baptist: (“You’ve Got a Friend at Bible Baptist” – “Bible Baptist is a Church With a ”). Wording on signs should be brief and non-offensive.
5. Someone must take the leadership and must decide when, who and where the signs will be displayed.
6. Those who hold the signs are instructed that they need not say anything to anyone unless spoken to.
7. Pick a well traveled intersection near the church and station as many people at each corner as possible. The more people at one intersection the more attention you will attract to read your signs.

I have seen other churches that also have a sign ministry. But, you could not be sure what the purpose was or what church was represented, even if you wanted to attend. This is like fishing without a hook on the line.
If you want people to come to church as a result of the sign ministry, they must know where to attend and how to contact you. As far as the public is concerned, you may be a cult or a nut. Pastor Hughes has a sign ministry that can be measured as to its effectiveness. Why not learn from him. http://www.biblebaptistportorchard.com/

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AN AMAZING FISHING STORY
By Ken Blue

fishI saw a news report recently of two men who were fishing in the dark of night. I am not sure if their method was legal or not, or if they kept the fish. They were in a small aluminum boat shining a spotlight around in the water. At times they would tap the side of the boat, and the fish went wild.

You could see fish jumping out of the water by the hundreds; In fact, many of them landed in the boat. As I said before, I have no knowledge if the method was legal; or if they kept any of the fish.

The interesting observation was the nontraditional method used to get the fish into the boat. They did no use a net, a gaff, or a hook. Yet they had more fish in the boat than you could count.

Now, if the method was legal, would you have kept the fish? Or, are you so set in your ways, you would have thrown them back into the water and refuse to keep those not reeled in on your line or taken in a net?

That is the line some preachers are trying to sell to churches. That is, if you did not go to the door of the lost and win them to Christ in the home, or on the street corner, you are in violation of Scripture. This idea that the church building is for the saved only and that sinners should not be in the building is insane. The more sinners you can get in the church building, the more likely you are to have more conversions each Sunday.

Don’t be foolish; there are many ways to catch fish, and if they will jump into your boat, all the better. The above method is novel, but it worked. The two reasons pastors cannot learn new methods of fishing, is they are bound by tradition and they fear the brethren.

See the story on Google Video

https://kenblueministries.com/2009/08/681/

THE SERMON CONCLUSION

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RUNNER FINISN LINE
(MORMON SCIENTIST DISPROVE MORMONISM THROUGH DNA,

AND THE LACK OF LINGUISTIC,AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svfxSscxh8o)
 

 
By Ken Blue

There are five parts to the sermon, they are: 1.) The Title, 2.) The Text, 3.) The Introduction, 4.) The Proposition, and 5.) The Conclusion. Although, much could be said about the construction of the sermon, and the preacher should learn all he can to perfect this art, hopefully these thought will help and create a desire to study this subject further.

We cannot over emphasis the importance of a well planned conclusion. It is the point in the sermon where the preacher “closes the deal.” That is, the conclusion is where you press for a decision of commitment. Your sermon and conclusion must have a powerful purpose.

You should be very specific about what you want people to do. Unless the conclusion is specific and clear people will be confused about what you expect or what action to take. I have heard may preachers call for people to get right with God, and start serving Him. However, they never get down to the business of telling them what to do in order to get right, or how they can serve Him.

Stop preaching in generalities; be specific about what you want and expect. Call upon people to accept Christ, and lead them in a prayer of salvation or service. If you expect people to join the church or commit to spiritual growth, tell them how to go about it. When seeking for people to serve, identify the ministry,  what is involved, and what steps they should take get into a ministry.
The invitation must be personal. You are speaking to people, not before them. They must understand and feel that the sermon and invitation is directed at them and to them. This is the time for an emotional appeal. If you are serious about what you are doing, it should show in your face, your eyes, your voice, and your body language. Plead with people to commit to Jesus Christ as Savior, or in service to Him. “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” Acts 14:1.

It is helpful to repeat the main points of the message, but don’t preach the sermon over again. Do not introduce anything new, or anything not consistent with your sermon. You could use a poem, an illustration, or part of a hymn when appropriate.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions that will force people to think and consider what you are calling for them to do. Never allow the conclusion to be weak or to simply trail off. End with energy, clarity, and expectation. Don’t make the back porch larger than the house. Dr. Elmer Towns said, “You get what you go after.” So, be clear about what you want them to commit to, and then go after it.