Daye by Daye

Talk About the Sermon~ Way 6

***This post is part of a 31 day series on “31 Ways to Appreciate Your Pastor”. If you want to catch up on each “way”, head to the landing page that is updated every day with each new post. We are on Day 6 (or WAY 6 as the case may be…)***

 

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.

1 Thessalonians 5:12,13

The best part of growing up as a pastor’s kid is that I got to see the “behind the scenes” of sermons and shepherding. Of course there were times when I didn’t fully appreciate this, but as an adult (and as one who has recently had to say the final goodbye to her Daddy), I realize how very special this was.

My Daddy would practice his sermons on us. For my most formative years, his office was in our home. I remember being in the middle of homework and I would hear his office door open. He would come out with a light in his eyes and share something exciting that he had just read or an idea that he was passionate about. His passion for the Word of God awakened a passion in me. I loved the discussions of scripture. By the time Sunday rolled around, I was excited to hear how it all came together.

Now I am married to my pastor and it is still one of my favorite things. I love our discussions on what he is preaching on. I love hearing his thoughts and sharing my own. There is something wonderful and beautiful about that light in a pastor’s eyes, when you can see the Word of God alive in them.

What I have come to understand is that this is a great way to appreciate a pastor. When you take the time to listen to anyone on a subject they are passionate about, you demonstrate love, support and encouragement. For a pastor, this means listening to how their ideas are coming together. It might mean challenging a thought, but more often than not, it is allowing them the opportunity to process their thoughts out loud.

Feedback after the sermon is another way to appreciate your pastor. It might surprise you that a pastor is not always looking for just positive feedback. Sometimes the critical response can be just as helpful and meaningful. If a pastor feels like the sermon was dreadful and everyone is telling him that it was amazing, he will begin to feel like his congregation is not telling him the truth.

My Dad kept meticulous records of his 30 + years of sermons. In addition to his sermon notes, he would record how he felt about the sermon. Here are some of his responses:

God blessed, good message!

Good sermon with good points, used no notes, could be developed!

The Lord gave tremendous freedom and power, Praise His Wonderful Name.

Preached with freedom and with the power of the Holy Spirit. Had good remarks afterward.

Without a doubt, your pastor will do Monday morning quarterbacking of his sermons. Your words can show him that he is appreciated, perhaps in the way it challenged you, how it encouraged you or how it left you feeling defeated or wanting more. I have not met a pastor yet who did not have a desire to grow in the area of preaching and teaching. So share your thoughts and let him know that his words are having an impact on your life.

 

Way 6: Listen to your pastor and talk about his sermons.