How far ahead do you plan your sermons?
If you said a few weeks or less, you are in the majority. Based on a recent survey we sent out to ministers, 79% of pastors plan their sermons two weeks or less before preaching them.
Did you know there is a powerful parallel affecting a majority of adults in America? The fallout of it serves as a reminder for pastors on the dangers of living sermon-to-sermon.
It’s called living paycheck-to-paycheck. And 76% of Americans do it.
The American Psychological Association conducts a yearly survey on stress in the United States. They said the No. 1 stressor for adults is living paycheck-to-paycheck. Experts have said living paycheck-to-paycheck adds unwanted stress on your relationships, finances, and health. It eats at your energy and confidence.
People are not able to get ahead with their finances. They can’t go on family vacations because they can’t afford to. Every week adds more stress with no end in sight.
Sound familiar?
Does preaching stress you out? Do you feel like you can never get ahead? Are you able to take a break and allow others to preach for you, knowing it will be good? Are you still studying for your sermon on Saturdays and giving up precious time with your family?
70% of pastors spend 6-20 hours EVERY WEEK on a sermon.
Every week!
Unlike the more well-known pastors who have content and creative teams to help them out, most pastors are doing good to simply feel prepared every week.
I recently spoke with one pastor who is bi-vocational. He owns an IT business. He is putting his daughters through college, so he works late every night during the week. He said he begins his sermon prep on Saturday morning and finishes sometime late Saturday night. Sometimes, he works well into the Sunday morning hours.
He is worn out.
Sadly, I’ve had this same conversation with countless pastors. With only 9% of pastors planning their sermons a few months ahead, it’s no wonder so many are exhausted.
At Ministry Pass, our aim is to give pastors the tools needed to save time every week, so they can be more effective. These tools will help you get ahead and be more organized so you can stress less, spend more Saturdays with your family, and be a better communicator.
