Candidate Preaching Topics/Texts/Subjects.

I have only been on this go-around a few times, but here is what I did and probably will do in the future. Sunday morning I preached an encouragement type of message, predominately aimed at believers but with a clear Gospel message. I preached out of I Timothy 1 at that time, a message about how God saved Paul as an example to others that He could save them too. On Sunday night, I preached a message about my philosophy of the church. I also answered any questions that they had. I believe that the message about the church was good because it let them know where I stand on the issue right up front.

 

Most importantly, be yourself and preach as you normally would. Don't try to dazzle anyone... you are there to give the word of the Lord.

The AM message should center more toward encouragement and salvation... but don't just preach salvation alone. Nothing wrong with it, but you are preaching to the Church, not a saloon. There may be some lost people there, but most are not.

The PM message should be meatier, as very few who are lost would be in the PM service. Shoot, about 1/2 (or less!) of the AM service will be there, anyway!

Let the church know where you stand doctrinally through your message. Don't hesitate to drive a point with how you stand persoanlly. That gives the church an opportunity to see your convictions in action.

Let the Lord lead you in the selection of a passage, but don't be scared of the more 'difficult' ones. Many congregations have never had these passages explained and expounded to them.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

I would advise you to preach a message that would best represent how you would preach on a week to week basis. Do not try to be someone or something that you are not. Be yourself and preach the Word!

 

The rule is: preach your best sermon, and Sunday night preach your second best

Seriously, treat it like any other one-shot opportunity. I think those are the most difficult since you do not have the benefit of preaching through a series and know a ton of the needs.

 

Be true to your Lord and Master, the Word, and your call.

Study ... pray ... study ... pray ... prepare ... pray ... study ...

A minimum reading of the central passage 20 times as I prepare ... plus other versions, plus the original language ...

 

Jshurley,

I understand how you feel. I went through the same thing about three months ago. My wife's family kind of gave me alot of grief about moving their daughter out of county. The funny thing is that she still has the same job. We just moved a county over where everyone who lives here that works almost always works in town so she's there in town four days a week. We're 20 minutes away and its the end of the world. hehe I guess the problem was not my wife just here mom and her dad especially. He doesn't understand anything about ministry or the church so he could have been alot happier if I would have worked at one of the businesses in town.

Anyway, I've been preaching alot on the holiness of our God and the fellowship of believers. When I was doing the candidacy part I just preached about every service but in the PM services I sort of taught.

With all else aside, I'll pray for you and pray that God will have HIS way!

In Christ,

Brooks

 

Look inside yourself and find the part of Christianity that you feel most passionate about.
Develop a sermon from that.

When you preach with passion and from your heart the true you will show through.

And the Congregation needs to see you, and what you are.

 

It sounds like you learned some things. If the Lord wants you there, he'll work in the hearts of the people and in yours.

People have become distant in the church today. Don't take it personally, but I think it is an indication of their hearts. You can't force friendliness on people if they're not friendly, that's another issue.

God bless you Brother. If the Lord has called you, He will place you. That's what I tell myself as I prepare for full-time service.

 

jshurley,

I hope you don't mind if I give you an example from a pastor I know? I know Im not a pastor myself....

This was over 15 years ago, but this preacher I know had come from Arizona to candidate at a church in Chicago. Well, the meeting did not go warmly, and he was very discouraged as he seemed to have come all that way for absolutely nothin', and he had even planned to stay in town a week. They did ask him to preach the Wed. eve. service that week, though he already knew they were not going to have him as pastor. Well, he preached, and at that Wednesday night meeting was a man who just "happened" to be travelling through Chicago on his way to Milwaukee, where he was a deacon at my present church. Long story short, he asked that preacher to come candidate and that preacher was the pastor of my church for the next ten years.

We just never know how God's going to work it out. I hope that my little story could lighten your load in some way.

 

I preached on the vision God gave me of the ministry He planned for me. Isa. 42:1-5. As an undershepherd, I had better conduct ministry as the Shepherd did.

The church we were invited to candidate for kept us, living in a motorhome for 2 monthes while they pursued a decision from a man who was filling their pulpit as to whether he would accept their call. ( I was not aware I was being used as the "if you don't, he will" person in the game.) God then led us to a pastor I knew nearer to where we would rather serve anyway and he had me fill his pulpit and that of a church that is still pastorless. God used that to place us where He wanted us... 8 miles from the place we had left in MI. to move to AZ.
He has a plan. Just step in, relax, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. It will be thrilling all the way. The step in, relax... are doing your part. But in the end He will place you where He wants you.
God bless Bro. I will be praying for you.