Preaching as Leadership

One leadership function that is often not recognized as leadership is the practice of preaching.  What usually commands attention when leaders talk about leadership are things like vision-casting, pastoral care, and identifying meaningful goals that extend the mission of the church.  But preaching, not so much! Yet every week in nearly every church, someone emerges from the congregation to offer a word from the Lord. The sermon, comprising perhaps one-third of the time the people of God assemble, is the place where vision, hope, repentance, commitment, and more are wrapped up in persuasion in light of God’s Word.  It is so important that most congregations entrust that work to someone called and charged to bring a message rooted in the Bible and bathed in prayer.

The above is why the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry offers Journey—From Text to Congregation, a three-day event for preachers.  We are intentionally creating a space for preachers to linger long in Scripture and to gather resources from Scripture to better aid their work in preaching in their particular contexts.  We do this because we believe good biblical preaching matters for the life and mission of congregations!

So if you are a preacher or an active Bible teacher, then please consider being with us on January 7-9.  If you are a shepherd or elder, then please encourage the preachers and teachers among your leader group to attend.

And just as important, make sure that the practice of preaching is at the table with all the other practices of leadership.  Disciple-making, vision-casting, pastoral care, goal-setting, and all the rest need to be in conversation with the preaching that goes on in your church!

May God’s blessings be with you as you celebrate the core of the gospel this Christmas—Emmanuel, God with us!