5 Mistakes Preachers Should Avoid
From a gospel preacher who preached more than 60 years.
A sister in Christ gave me a book yesterday before our morning Bible class.
The book is titled, “3 Years of the Gospel Preacher, Volume 2” by Roy H. Lanier, Sr. I started reading the introduction, and he shared an article he published in the Firm Foundation in 1976.
The article contains five mistakes we, as preachers, sometimes make. I thought his lessons still held tremendous value for us as preachers today.
Making a hobby of one subject.
We all have topics we would like to preach on all the time. For example, marriage, divorce, and remarriage is an important biblical topic that should be considered and proclaimed from the pulpit. However, the temptation could be to “ride” this topic as a “hobby horse” to the neglect of other important biblical subjects and passages.
Paul told the elders at Ephesus that he had declared to them “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). As preachers, we should strive to follow his example in our preaching.
Stop studying.
As a preacher ages or perhaps builds up a “bank” of several years worth of sermons, the temptation could creep in to stop studying God’s Word. The preacher’s sermons will quickly become dry, repetitive, and filled with personal stories rather than God’s Word when he stops studying.
Paul urges Timothy to “Be diligent [Study] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Studying God’s Word is necessary for preaching, as well as living the Christian life.
Preach too long.
When I began 60 years ago, the preacher was expected to preach at least one hour, especially when holding a meeting. But times have changed and so have people. Not many people will attend a meeting if the preacher goes over 45 minutes. And if the preacher is worth his salt, he can put out more truth in 40 minutes than his hearers can take home with them. — Roy H. Lanier, Sr.
I understand this will be a little bit of a touchy subject among preachers. And I will agree that people should be able to sit a listen to the Word of God as long as it is proclaimed.
A preacher should realize, however, that attention spans have decreased in our country today. Also, he should consider the older people in relatively poor health in the audience and the parents dealing with fussy young children.
When you preach, be mindful of the people.
Being critical of other preachers.
It’s too common for younger preachers to complain about older preachers and for older preachers to complain about younger preachers.
Perhaps if we tried to be more understanding of each other — considering each other’s strengths and weaknesses — we would treat each other more kindly. Some of the most encouraging preachers to me personally include both young and older men.
Paul was an “old preacher” compared to Timothy and Titus, yet he put a tremendous amount of effort into strengthening and encouraging them in their work (See 1 and 2 Timothy as well as Titus). And Timothy and Titus, as young preachers, loved and respected Paul.
We would do well to learn from them.
Merely referencing passages of Scripture.
We must take people into the Bible and let them read the Scriptures for themselves.
If we are constantly just referencing and paraphrasing the Scriptures, we might give the impression that the “common people” can’t understand the Bible for themselves. While understanding the Scriptures isn’t always the easiest thing to do, we need to instill within people a reverence for and trust in God’s Word.
Paul told Timothy to “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2). We need to ensure that every sermon proclaims what God has said.
Be plain, forceful in delivery, scriptural in content, kind and loving in attitude; preach what the people need, not necessarily what they want; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. — Roy H. Lanier, Sr., 3 Years of the Gospel Preacher, Vol. 2
I appreciate the excellent work you continue to do!
Keep preaching the word, and keep serving the Lord!
