How to Get a Sunday Without Preaching: Part 2
Part 1 of this two-part series is available here.
Previously, I discussed potential ways to arrange a Sunday you will be present, but not preaching. While I know it is not fully a Sunday Off, I called it that for brevity’s sake. However, I also mentioned that there may be obstacles that keep you from having someone else deliver the message; no matter how beneficial it may be for you AND your congregation. Here I want to address some of those challenges.
Your ego
Yeah yeah…I hate to sound like a downer, but if we are going to address some of the major obstacles, you must begin with the person looking back in the mirror. Some preachers cannot handle another person coming in to preach in their place. Insecurities begin to pop up such as, “That’s MY job!” or “What if they like him BETTER than me?” or perhaps even, “My people wouldn’t accept someone else preaching unless I am actually gone.”
Some of these require a spirit of humility, introspection, and perhaps counseling. The last may or may not be grounded in reality (more on that in a moment). If, however, you agree with the premise that multiple preaching voices is beneficial for both the preacher and the congregation, this is an obstacle you will need to address.
Your budget
Chances are good your finance team did not budget in thousands of dollars to pay for outside speakers. I get that. Yet too many preachers allow their thought processes to begin and end there. There are a variety of options, however, that will not stress out your church treasurer. In fact, I mention a few in part one.
Your leadership
I want to be clear – there are A LOT of awesome, God-fearing men and women leading churches all over the world. These individuals are doing their absolute best to lovingly, faithfully serve, and lead as they have been called.
HOWEVER, I also know from experience that is not always the case. I am aware of many painful situations where leaders – either unchecked or perhaps empowered – have seen a local congregation as their personal Kingdom to rule. I will not go in-depth here but suffice to say such leaders do more harm than good for the Kingdom in the long run.
Thus you may be in a situation where having another voice preach would simply not be accepted.
Yet the bottom line I would recommend is this: ask, don’t assume. You may be assuming that your leadership would not, in a thousand years, accept someone else preaching. Yet if you take the time to ask, you may find that not to be an accurate assumption at all. This does not need to be a long, drawn-out item for a congregational meeting, but simply could involve a one-on-one discussion with a leader you trust. Again, ask…don’t demand. Ask about what he/she would think. Discuss the long-term value for the church as well as yourself. Focus on the benefits and find out personally any potential hesitations.
Yes, there are challenges and obstacles. Yet great value can be found for both you, and the church you serve if you are willing to ask the questions and navigate these challenges.
