I was talking with a pastor friend of mine over lunch the other day about the model of ministry that the pastor is supposed to “soak in the word” all week so he’ll have something to give to the people. I know many pastors and seminary professors who subscribe to that. One fellow told me that he was taught in seminary to spend 20 – 30 hours every week for his 30-minute sermon. Sounds excessive to me. Most people aren’t taking notes even if they are listening – and some are only pretending to listen!

Hugh Halter, author of Tangible Kingdom, told me he gives Sunday morning about two hours of preparation. I attended a service of his “Adullam Community” in Denver when it was active, and it was one of the best Sunday morning experiences I’ve ever had. (The name came from 1 Samuel 22.1, 2 – look it up!)

Back to the lunch…my friend’s leadership accuses him of not being in the word enough. (Meaning, I think, you didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know.) That’s why they like his associate pastor who does precisely that. He studies all those hours. Why? He wants to get it right. My friend said he just wants them to hear it. I would have wanted them to do it!

When the apostles said they were “giving themselves to the Word and prayer” (Acts 6.4), I don’t think they meant 30 hours of study for a 30-minute sermon:

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus. (Acts 5.42, ESV)

Francis Chan, when he was in the pastorate, originally subscribed to the long-preparation model, but he realized that he couldn’t really do his job of equipping believers and discipling men if he spent all his time in the study. He cut way back on his preparation time so he could spend time with people. Dr. Jim Singleton, former pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, said, “Preaching is my day job; my real ministry is investing in men.”

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2.1, 2, NIV)

PS If you’re not a pastor, pray that your pastor will find the right balance among sermon preparation, ministering to the needy, and investing in people.