It has been just over four years since I resigned the church I pioneered and pastored for 23 years. People often ask me, “Do you miss pastoring?” or “What do you miss most about pastoring?”
Debbie and I have talked a lot about this. She misses the “community” aspects of pastoring. With our nomadic lifestyle these days we have learned to “be at home wherever we are.” And that is working well for us.
For me, the thing I miss most about pastoring is preaching through books of the Bible, leading a congregation through understanding Scriptures and encountering God through His Word. Sure, I get to preach a lot now, but the nature of that preaching is very different than when I pastored. I absolutely loved digging into the text every week, digging into my Greek New Testament, unpacking the words, learning the theology, and personally encountering Christ through the Scriptures every week. I miss that. I still read the Bible every day. I still preach. I love what I am doing and don’t want to do anything else in this world. But I do miss lingering long in the Word. Letting it shape me, speak to me, form itself in me, and come out as a sermon that would build up the people of God entrusted to my care. That I miss.
Last week, I preached in the Foursquare Church in Athens, Greece. I have had the privilege of ministering there a number of times over the last few years. I knew I could not get by with bringing out one of my “this will preach anywhere sermons.” I had preached all those there already. I needed “fresh bread.” And let me tell you, I loved digging into the Word, Hearing God’s voice in the words of Scripture, drawing near to Christ, and having my faith built up. Studying the Scriptures and developing the sermon was so refreshing. Preaching it was the overflow of a heart filled with God’s Word.
My opinions, empathy, and funny stories will not transform a single life. Only the Word of God will change lives. When I have done training for pastors, I always remind them, “The word of God poorly preached is still more powerful than your opinion well preached. Preach the Word.” I am praying our churches will experience a powerful revival of anointed preaching that breaks yokes and sets the captives free. After all, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor 1:21).
Friend, the word of God is alive and powerful, shaper than any two edged sword. Let it speak afresh to you. Linger long with the text. Wrestle with it as Jacob wrestled with the angel. And like Jacob you will come away from that encounter a transformed person.
Debbie and I serve as the FMI Global Associate Director for MENACA and Europe. We focus on cultivating disciples, leaders, and church planting movements.
