How Often Do You?

Brother,
I have a Summer Revival each August to coincide with my anniversary as Pastor of the church. I bring in a guest preacher and guest singers.

I try to have a Missions Conference each spring with a key-note speaker and three or four Missionaries and families.

Then, I have Missionaries on deputation coming in every so often. I normally have them on Wednesday evenings or if they are here on Sunday, I let them have Junior Church in the morning and then present their work to the church on Sunday night.

I normally do not give up my pulpit on Sunday morning unless it is during Revival or Missions Conference.

 

We typically have a guest for our annual Homecoming service. I also invite in missionaries when we have our Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong missions emphases. Other than that, I do it only occasionally. For instance, I'm bringing in a denominational person who does financial seminars for a Sun evening next month. I also have people I can trust when I leave for vacation, sick, conferences, sabbatical, etc. I find this gives the people a variety, gives me time to refresh, but also keeps me in the proper place of fulfilling my pulpit mandate. I have found this to be the best way to go.

 

Our pastor rarely gives up his pulpit, except for the following reasons:

* he is out of town or gone on revival

* Something with the youth or children is up. Or a music thang.

* We invite a special guest,which is rare.

 

In the past my policy has been to use very limited outside preachers for my Sunday services. I scheduled missionaries 9-10 times per year on Sunday nights and Missions Conference and Revival services two times a year. Other than that is was only for special times such as big anniversary or real special occasion.

However, I have been rethinking that policy. On the missionfield I see mission churches developing their own preachers and building a group of men in the church who can preach and teach effectively. I know a church in our state where the pastor uses a number of his men on a weekly basis and is developing some men to be church planters themselves.

I am undecided right now which is best. Since I am preaching in different churches weekly and not pastoring right now, I do not have to make a decision about what I would do, but I am keeping my options open.