What Does A Preacher DO?

A Beginning Discussion

What does a preacher do?

What is the role of the preacher? This may seem like a simple question, but the answer determines values, goals, and priorities that must be set. Without a Clear understanding of the answer, all goals and priorities are guesses at best.

First we must determine who sets the role? There are three possible origins for the role: the preacher, the congregations who “hire” the preacher, and God. While most (if not all) would say that God is the one who determines the role of the preacher, let's not be too hasty. There is a difference between the ideal and the practical. We all know that God should be the one to determine that role since He is the one who created the system and need for preachers. He is the final authority. But He did not spell every detail out for us. We must make some decisions about the work. We have that freedom as long as those activities fall within the parameters established by God. So after God, who decides what a preacher does in his day-to-day activities?

Maybe it's just me, but I have a difficult problem grasping what I am supposed to be doing sometimes. When there is a sea of possibilities, how does a preacher determine what he should accomplish? This question has been persistent in my work. I have tried many things. I have accomplished some things and failed at others, but often I arrive at the same question: "Is this really what I need to spend my time doing?" Some preachers seem to have it all figured out. I am not one of them.

Basic Expectations

Obviously there are some basic expectations of preachers. They should prepare and deliver sermons and Bible classes. They should visit the sick and those who are unable to attend worship. Generally, we preachers exist to help the church grow. One question I have is, “Is that all?” (That is not a flippant question. I just want to make sure that I do ALL of my work, not just part of it.) 

When I think of what it means to “help the church grow” I begin to wonder if a more vague understanding of a role could exist. This perplexing statement at once states everything and nothing. After all, is it not God who causes the growth of the church? Do I really think I am going to cause growth?

Considering the broad definition of “helping the church grow” can be mind-boggling. In essence, it is nothing less than stating that the role of the preacher is to make sure every person in the community, county, state, or world—as many people as he can possibly impact—makes it to heaven. The amount of work indicated in such an innocent phrase cannot even begin to be explained.

I have enough trouble making sure I am spiritually right and going in the right direction. I cannot possibly hope to fulfill such a large role! So this broad perspective serves only to cause me to come back to the same question—what's my practical function here?

Getting Practical

There is no question that preachers have the role of helping the church grow, but (as I tried to point out above) that is simply too much to contemplate. It is not that the task is so large that it terrifies me to contemplate. I know that God does not expect me to save everyone, only to do what I can do to bring about the most good for the most people—and even that is too generic. I have no problem looking at the vast ocean of possibilities and responsibilities that come with preaching because I know that all Christians are in the same position and role. I also know that GOD is the One who is in control. I am just helping where I can. It's not the SIZE of the task but knowing where it will be better to join in the work that gets to me.

Location and Impact

So, after thinking about this, one way of bringing some order to the chaos is to look at the location of the preacher. Obviously, a preacher can help people in any place, and no preacher worth his salt would refuse to help someone simply because of that person's location. But that person's location might prevent a preacher from helping him simply because he must prioritize in order to bring some order to the chaos.

Now, looking at all the possible actions in a given area does not help much in defining the role of the preacher, but it does help a little. And the question of role takes on new meaning at this point. How does a man decide the geographical impact of his work? I am not considering the decision a man makes when determining what congregation to work with at this point. That is a completely different problem that must also be considered in light of financial, familial, and other needs.

The question at hand centers upon his impact in the place he lives and works. Does the preacher focus on the members of the congregation? If so, how will people outside the church be brought to God? What about Christians in the same area who happen to attend other congregations? Does he have responsibilities toward them? Within the preacher's home congregation, unless it is a very small group, he would still make some tough decisions. Who should I spend my time with? Should I spend my time with the weak? How about the strong so that they do not become weak? What about the sick? How much help and support is enough for each person? Do we ever get to the point that we do not need continued encouragement? What about time for study and preparation for sermons?

The list of questions like those above are seemingly endless. And the question returns: What is the role of the preacher?

God's Wisdom

Generically we know that God is the author of preaching. It becomes obvious, however, that He left many decisions to be made. This is not a fault of God. Instead, it shows His wisdom in many ways.

If a preacher struggles with and decides upon his role, he will appreciate the tasks. They will be HIS tasks and therefore much more likely to be accomplished.

Additionally, everyone is different and in different situations; therefore, each preacher's work will be different. God's guidelines allow the greatest freedom to operate without losing sight of the overall work God expects.

Based on these ideas, the importance of understanding a preacher's role is even greater. We can see that personality, desires, ability, opportunity, and even congregational needs all play a part in defining the preacher's role.

Considering Both Sides

Considering the question about the origins of the role shows us that the preacher and the congregation he works with must work together to define and understand the role of the preacher based on the above criteria (and more).

Does the church have a right to expect certain activities from the preacher? They do not have  any more right to expect certain activities from him than he has in determining what actions he thinks God would have him take. The needs of the congregation are important. Those reasons are what led them to invite the man to live and work with them. Ideally, a congregation could expect a man to perform every function they intended and do it in the exact ways they desired, that is, if preachers had no rights.

The role of preachers, from God's general instructions, is to preach the word. That entails many things beyond the mere delivery of sermons. It entails study, practice of delivery, and skill development. It includes making a connection with the audience—something that can only be done by building relationships and reputation. And how does a preacher build relationships and his reputation with others in the congregation?

He is also to be evangelistic. How can a preacher hope to teach the church to be evangelistic (2 Timothy 2:2) if he is not evangelistic? How can he be a preacher if he is not preaching to the lost and building those relationships? As John Maxwell once stated, “The greater the impact you want to make, the greater your influence needs to be.” How can a preacher hope to impact the community if he is not allowed time to build those relationships?

On the other hand, how can a preacher accept support from a congregation and say that they have no right to ask him to do anything? Is that reasonable? If they called for a preacher to come, chances are they have needs. Those people have much greater ability to know their own needs than the preacher does. Yes, they need the Gospel, but what parts? How should it be delivered? Preaching is more than saying words in a pulpit. It is about impacting lives.

Concluding Thoughts

The obvious conclusion is that the preacher AND the church leaders should discuss and agree upon the roles the preacher will play. That may be something that must be flexible. It may need review from time to time to reassess priorities. Those decisions may be left to the preacher a great deal—and he should be given the flexibility to meet the many demands of the preacher's work. But the church must be involved.

It is not fair to either side to set the role without the input of the other. It is also not fair for either side to set the role in a generic fashion. Just because the last preacher did something is not necessarily a good reason for the next one to do it.

All in all, determining a preacher's role is not an easy task, but an important one. Preachers and congregations might get along well without ever finding time to discuss these things formally. I can imagine that many preachers will have little trouble with this, especially if the church is not demanding. There is, however, a fine line between “not being demanding” and being apathetic. The preacher and the congregation will benefit greatly by having a clear understanding of roles so that goals and objectives can be administered effectively.