“What is the chief end of preaching? I like to think it is this. It is to give men and women a sense of God and His presence. As I have said already, during this last year I have been ill, and so have had the opportunity, and the privilege, of listening to others, instead of preaching myself. As I have listened in physical weakness this is the thing I have looked for and longed for and desired. I can forgive a man a bad sermon, I can forgive the preacher almost anything if he gives me a sense of God, if he gives me something for my soul, if he gives me the sense that, though he is inadequate himself, he is handling something which is very great and very glorious, if he gives me some dim glimpse of the majesty and the glory of God, the love of Christ my Saviour, and the magnificence of the Gospel. If he does that I am his debtor, and I am profoundly grateful to him.”

– D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers: 40th anniversary edition (Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 2011), 110-111

Some years ago, Dr. James White wrote a book entitled “Pulpit Crimes” which addressed the “crimes” preachers often commit in their pulpits. It was a strong call for handling the word of God correctly. Here is Dr. White presenting a teaching session based on the theme of the book (from Central Baptist Church in Honolulu, Hawaii).

Dr. James White – Pulpit Crimes from Shane Sowers on Vimeo.

Dane Ortlund has outlined some very good, practical advice for both guest preachers and the Churches that invite them. He writes: Preached recently at a church that hosted me with remarkable thoughtfulness and it caused me to reflect on how inviting churches can host as well as my most recent experience, and also what should be the specific aims of a guest preacher. To be filtered through your own wisdom and good sense.

For the inviting church:

1. Give him guidance about what to preach on. Or not to preach on–it’s awkward to be told ‘Preach on whatever you want’ only to show up and discover you’re preaching the same text as the previous week.

2. If he wasn’t your first choice to pinch hit that day, don’t tell him.

3. Tell him what time to show up, and how long he should preach for.

4. Tell him who is going to greet him, and where. Be sure he has directions to the church. Tell him about any road-work to avoid.

5. Let him know what kind of mic he’ll be using, and if he has a choice, let him know that and ask his preference. Explain how the mic works when it is given to him. Tell him if powerpoint is an option. Tell him if there will be a podium, pulpit, or nothing. Give him guidance about dress code. In short, don’t assume anything; err on the side of giving him too much information rather than too little.

6. Don’t ask him to administer a sacrament. Do the sacrament another day, or ask an elder or pastor of the church to do it. He is in a strange place and doesn’t know the particulars of your church’s practices, which for you seem totally normal and obvious. Let him focus on the preaching event.
Continue reading →