KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Balance
EVERY PROFESSION, NO matter what it is, has its distinct nuances that can only be understood by those in that profession...
For instance, I could not begin to comprehend the daily trails of an accountant, a doctor, or a farmer. But put two accountants in a room, two doctors, or two farmers and they could talk and understand each other even though they had never before met. Preaching is no different. There are daily and weekly challenges to preaching that many may not understand, but put two preachers in a room together, and it won't take long for them to find "common ground."
This past month, I sat talked with a fellow preacher who expressed several concerns and challenges that he was facing. To say that I could relate is an understatement. This article shares with you a small peek into some of the challenges to the job of preaching.
THE CHALLENGE OF BALANCE. From time to time, a preacher will hear complaints that range from, "We're hearing too many fundamentals," "We want more doctrinal, in-depth studies," or "We need more preaching that is practical, daily living advice." Before you complain that the preaching isn't meeting your needs, understand that you are not a congregation of one! There are other people sitting in the pews on any given Sunday who have diversely different needs, and who are wanting to be fed. How does a preacher meet the needs of a recently divorced woman who is seeking strength to go on after being betrayed. Next to her is a new Christian who needs to be grounded in the fundamentals of the faith, and on the next pew there is the mature Bible student who is seeking for the deep treasures of God's word? It is impossible for everyone to have their desires met to the level of their own satisfaction every week. Every congregation consists of those who need meat and those who need milk. In order for unity to prevail, patience must be practiced by every believer, and balance must be the pursuit of every preacher. (Steve Higginbotham)
KneEmail: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:2).