I consider it a high privilege and compliment to be invited to share another pastor’s pulpit time. I do not take it for granted and consider it a huge responsibility.
I’ve been the guest preacher in a lot of churches through the years. I’ve also been the pastor who invited someone else to preach.
Being on both sides has taught me something – When you are the guest preacher, you are a guest.
That sounds obvious, but it should shape how you approach the opportunity.
Someone has trusted you with their pulpit and their people. For that day, you’ve been given influence, but it is extended influence. The pastor and church will still be there after you leave.
So, here are a few things I think every guest preacher should consider:
Honor the pastor.
Acknowledge the person who invited you. Say good things about him. Encourage their leadership and encourage the church to support them.
You don’t have to be flattering or insincere, but you should leave people thinking more highly of their pastor – not more highly of you.
Honor the church.
Every church has a culture and traditions. Respect them.
That can include everything from how you dress to which Bible translation you use. You aren’t there to prove your preferences are better.
Ask good questions before you arrive.
I usually want to know things such as:
- When should I arrive?
- What Bible translation do people normally hear?
- What should I wear?
- Who should I look for when I arrive?
- How much time do I have?
- How should I end the message? Am I leading into a song, prayer, invitation, or something else?
- Where should I go and what should I do when I finish?
Those may seem like little things, but little things matter.
Don’t unnecessarily create controversy.
Certainly preach the truth. But if you’re considering addressing something you know could be especially controversial in that church, talk with the pastor first.
Remember – You get to leave. The pastor has to live with what you leave behind.
Don’t create a mess someone else has to clean up.
Honor the time you were given.
If they give you 30 minutes, don’t preach 45 because you felt led.
Part of honoring the invitation is honoring the schedule.
Be careful with humor.
Humor can help people connect with you. It can also go badly when you don’t know the room and the people – and they don’t know you.
Never get a laugh at the expense of the pastor, the church, someone in the congregation, or a group of people.
And finally –
Don’t try to be the hero.
You weren’t invited to show the church what they’ve been missing.
You were invited to serve them.
Preach Jesus. Encourage the people. Honor the pastor. Respect the church.
And when you leave, hopefully you’ve made the pastor’s job a little easier – not harder.
What else would you add?
