The Preacher as Watchful, Frail, and Gifted Worker (Part 1 of 4)

Crafted By God

It had been more than two years since a deep personal crisis had raised questions as to whether ongoing fulltime Christian ministry in a local church would be a possibility again. A year of resting, praying, and talking to wise counsellors resulted in a reshaped part time ministry in church planting.

After twenty years of preaching once a week followed by a year virtually devoid of preaching, the church was planted and I stepped back into the pulpit (well, not quite—a lectern in a university lecture theatre!). The experience was personally overwhelming as I recognised again that God had crafted me for this task. Part of who God had made me consisted of his call upon my life and his gifting of me to proclaim his Son to his gathered people.

All preachers of the word of God are similar, that is, they are an incredible mix of different and sometimes opposing forces. Some come from our own character and personal experiences, others from the nature of the world, relationships, or the gifts God has given. Others come from the godly desires that God has hewn within us. So, in this series of short articles, I want to highlight four such factors that arise out of my reading of Scripture and my thinking about preaching and preachers. They are not full reflections but are hopefully helpful for existing or aspiring preachers. The four factors are highlighted in the title that will mark all four short pieces: The preacher as watchful, frail, and gifted worker. Each is accompanied by a prayer that might be helpful to use in your own prayers if you too are a preacher.

The Watchful Preacher

The first word is ‘watchful.’ It arises out of 1 Timothy 4, a passage which can helpfully be used regularly as a base for the prayer life of regular preachers. In the last verse of that chapter, Paul urges Timothy to…

– 1 Timothy 4:16

The sense of the imperative used here is to watch closely or pay attention to something. The focus of the attentiveness urged is twofold: life and doctrine, that is, how we live and what we profess. The second half of the verse provides an additional way of urging attentiveness as it speaks of “persisting in this”. The object of such attentiveness and persistence is the salvation of the preacher (Timothy) and his hearers.

The notions of watchfulness and attentiveness have a whole cluster of other words associated with them. There are also a variety of foci for them. Some were addressed to Christians as a whole while others were addressed particularly to leaders but they are applicable to preachers as both Christians and leaders of God’s people. Just a few examples will suffice.

Watchful of Ourselves; Watchful for the Flock

First, we find an exhortation to be attentive to yourself. So, in Luke 21:34, Jesus urges his disciples to be watchful so that life does not overwhelm them in such a way that the day comes as a surprise. In verse 36 he urges wakefulness in prayer so that they might have strength to escape the things coming upon the world and be able to stand before the Son of Man.

Elsewhere, such as in Galatians 6:1, Paul urges Christians to be watchful when restoring Christians caught in sin. They are to watch themselves lest they also might be tempted.

In 1 Peter 5:8, Christians are to be alert and of sober mind knowing that their enemy the devil is prowling around like roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. He is to be resisted and Christians are to stand firm.

In 2 John 8, Christians are again warned about the dangers associated with deceivers and the antichrist and are to ‘watch out’ that they do not lose what has been worked for but are rewarded fully.

Elsewhere Jesus his disciples to watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees (Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15). Paul tells people to watch out for those causing divisions (Romans 16:17) and admonishes the elders of Ephesus to watch out for the flock and for themselves (Acts 20:28).

The writer of Hebrews says that the task of pastors is to watch over the souls of their people because they have to give an account to God for them (Hebrews 13:17).

A whole host of other references could be marshalled but these are sufficient to demonstrate that watchfulness and attentiveness are to be the disposition of God’s people as a whole. However, they are also to be the marks of leaders among God’s people. Because we live in perilous times we as leaders of God’s people must watch, be aware and pay attention. Attentiveness is to mark our ways and it is to have a particular focus in terms of avoiding false doctrine and pursuing true doctrine as well as avoiding ungodly lifestyles and pursuing godliness. A preacher who is watchful in these things will be of great value for the people being served as well as of being of great value personally (1 Timothy 4:21).

If we are a preacher and teacher of God’s people then we are people at risk. The devil prowls around seeking someone to devour and so we need to be watchful, alert, and sober of mind. Such is a key part of our calling.

A Prayer for Watchful Preachers

For my own purposes, I have crafted a prayer based on Acts 20:27–28 and 1 Timothy 4:16 that might be prayed for myself (or any other preacher) as we take on this privileged and risky task under the great Shepherd.

Beloved Father, for the sake of your Son and the church purchased by his blood, and in the light of the threats to their safety, please help me to proclaim your whole will to your people and to keep watch over both myself and the flock over which you have made me an overseer. Please help me to watch my life and doctrine closely and to persevere in these things, not just for the sake of my own salvation but also for theirs. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

See here for Part 2 and Part 3.