Disclaimer: This article is written by a preacher for fellow preachers. If you are not a pastor, I hope that this will provide you with insight to know what your pastor might be feeling after preaching.
“You’re either a winner or a loser.”
While that statement might be true for sports, it’s not true for preaching. The measure of a game—like hockey, football, or basketball—is ultimately determined by the number of points scored. Sure, some games might be more memorable than others because of particular plays, or extraordinary efforts by certain individuals. But when all is said and done, it actually doesn’t matter how many points one team scores, unless they’ve scored more than the other team. In other words, unless there’s a loser, there is no winner.
This obviously doesn’t apply to preaching, right? …or does it?
I recognize that your average church doesn’t have a massive Jumbotron or scoreboard in the auditorium, but why does it still feel like there is one?
Let’s just think about this for a moment, if there were an actual Jumbotron, what would be considered a “goal,” or a “point scored” in preaching?
- A compelling introduction?
- A joke that causes the congregation to laugh hysterically?
- An illustration that cuts to the heart?
- A heartfelt story?
- A Hebrew or Greek word?
- A deep insight from the Scriptures that most were unaware of?
- A sticky statement?
- A clear application point?
- A timely or relevant message?
Now I get that most pastors aren’t preaching to a room full of clipboards where they are being graded on their message—like in a seminary class—but why does it sometimes feel like this is the case?
Here’s my hypothesis: It’s because we live in a world where free speech has been emboldened through technology.
In other words, people will type things out on email, on social media, on Amazon, on forums, and in comments that they would never dare to say face to face to that person directly.
It’s actually quite disturbing.
And unfortunately, I see and hear this happening more frequently to preachers—myself including.
The problem with all of this is that negative comments hurt so much more than the blessing of positive comments. It’s the negative ones that hurt, cut deep, and sting.
Now I’m all for feedback, but I’ve found that it’s only helpful when it’s done in person and in conversation—face to face—when there’s a relationship. There’s too much that can be left up to interpretation when “constructive criticism” is sent via email, message, comment, or through some other means that’s not face to face.
So what is the “proper” measure of a sermon?
Can some sermons be scored as “winners?” And others as “losers?” And if so, what would be considered a legitimate point scored?
Here’s the thing—no matter how many hours you pour into sermon preparation—and no matter how you feel after you preach, you will always have people on either side. Some are going to love it and some are going to hate it—and let you know about it through a scathing email.
The measure of a sermon should never be tied to the number of positive or negative comments or emails you receive. If so, you will always lose. Always.
Instead, the measure of a sermon should always be tied to whether or not you faithfully preached the gospel and lifted high the name of Jesus.
I love what it says in Colossians 1:28, “We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (CSB).
In fact, here’s the thing. The more you challenge your congregation by preaching the whole counsel of God—without shying away from hard topics—the more criticism you’ll hear. This is because “the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 CSB).
Heck. How many times did Jesus receive criticism, and he was the Son of God!! Just think about the time when Jesus preached in Nazareth and everyone in the synagogue got up and tried to throw him off the cliff (Luke 4:28-29).
In fact, instead of being offended or hurt when we receive criticism, what if we actually expected it and considered it joy?
Just take a look at these verses,
I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5 CSB)
If you’re a preacher and never hear criticism, I wonder if you’re simply just saying what people want to hear? And according to this passage, just tickling their ears?
Because after reading the Scriptures, and considering the emboldened times that we’re now living in because of technology, I’ve come to the conclusion that criticism is going to be a part of my ministry.
I will never ever shy away from preaching the word by correcting, rebuking, and encouraging with great patience and teaching. And I know that when I do so, God’s word—through the Holy Spirit—will make individuals come face to face with things that they might be uncomfortable with because “the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 CSB)
I have decided that I need to exercise self-control, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill the ministry that my Lord Jesus has called me to. I will not let the enemy tear me down or discourage me because I’m convinced that the measure of a sermon has nothing to do with feedback—positive or negative.
“Lord, here I am. Have your way in me. Speak to me and through me to bring you honor and glory. I am your servant. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”