Post image taken February 29, 2012. Courtesy of the Redemption Christian Church Facebook page.

My first located ministry was in Jasper, Indiana. I was hired as the Associate Minister at, what was the time, Christian Church of Jasper (now Redemption Christian Church). After struggling for years to even receive an interview with any local church, I was hired to oversee small groups, discipleship, and more. Part of that “and more” included fulfilling preaching duties one-third of the time.

Darrel, the founding and Lead Pastor, had witnessed tremendous benefits in churches where multiple individuals took turns preaching. In this context, he wanted to use a similar approach. And while this model was foreign to me, I was stoked to be entrusted with such an important task, and a task that I absolutely loved.

There are many growing pains and potential hurdles to figure out if you make this shift. Yet, I became a staunch advocate for how valuable a team-style approach can be for preaching.

In this post, I would like to share with you just three benefits that can develop when more than one person has a turn in the pulpit. While implementation of such a model may take some time in your context. I believe such an approach can demonstrate similar benefits in your church as well.

This Model Helps Fulfill a Command of Scripture

In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he lays out the expectation of those leading the local church. In Ephesians 4:11-13 we read:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

To say it another way, the job of the leaders is to equip people to serve as they are gifted. In this way, the church helps those men and women grow in their own faith, and then in turn allows them to pour into others.

I love to preach. In fact, whether one-on-one or in front of thousands, I love to open up God’s Word and help others understand and apply what it says. Yet, if I am the only one considered qualified for such a task, what happens to the church if I end up in the hospital? What happens to those with potential talents for preaching and teaching?

Their talents would go uncultivated and, worst of all, I will have failed to do as God’s Word commands.

To be clear, I am not suggesting you should not toss just anyone on stage without preparing them. I would expect anyone who stands up to preach to have some modicum of training. However, whether due to ego, insecurity, or omission, far too many pastors fail to raise up others and just do it themselves.

By making this an intentional element of your ministry, you naturally empower others to minister as they are gifted.

The Congregation Can Grow By Hearing From Others

Recently, I came across this article where users who had won some form of “lifetime supply” were asked to tell about their experiences. From toilet paper to Oreos and more, users discussed what it was like to have a seemingly endless supply of one particular thing.

One common theme, however, was how tired the winners became of whatever they won (toilet paper notwithstanding). Entry 15 in the article, speaks of a girl who won thousands of packs of a certain type of gum. Today, years later, the mere sight of that chewing gum makes her sick.

I’m not suggesting that any church is sick of their pastor’s preaching, though there may be some truth to that. What I am pointing out, however, is the benefit that can be found in hearing from others.

Whether you like the reality or not, having someone else in the preaching rotation offers the congregation variety.

Perhaps this person has a different style or a different take on Scripture. Maybe this person has a story that can really resonate with the church.  Regardless of whether the other speakers are other staff members, missionaries supported by the church, or other church leaders, there is tremendous benefit in your church hearing other voices.

The Pastor Has The Opportunity to Take a Breath

Statistics indicate that pastoral burnout is raging among churches of all sizes and types. While I know that preaching is not the only task for a pastor, it undoubtedly takes a lot of time to prepare a sermon on a weekly basis.

What if, occasionally, you had the opportunity to focus on other ministry tasks? What if, on a Sunday morning, you had a chance to sit through the message with your family? What if you built a rhythm that allowed you to step in after a week off with a renewed spark to preach?

Yes, I realize there may be lots of resistance to this idea. In fact, I discussed quite a few points of tension in part two of “How to Get A Sunday Without Preaching.” However, fellow preacher, the work of ministry is a marathon. If you do not occasionally take a drink and catch your breath, you are more likely to become a statistic.

So what did I miss? What are other benefits you find of having other voices speak from the stage? I’d love to hear!