Why Preachers Can Be Especially Grateful For Their Work

There are several reasons preachers should pause to give thanks for the work to which God has called them. Certainly, faith, family, and the abundance of God’s provision are among the many blessings we enjoy, but I want to share a few reasons why preachers can be especially grateful for their work.

Our Work Is Deeply Meaningful

All work is sacred when we know the Lord is our ultimate supervisor (Colossians 3:23-24), but preachers enjoy a singular vocation especially meaningful in that they are regularly pointing people to the One from Whom all blessings flow: the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). God’s calling in our lives guarantees we will always be involved in especially meaningful labor.

We Experience The Joy Of Weekly Preaching

Is there any activity more life-giving than regularly proclaiming the good news? Thank God He has called you into a ministry where you get to preach the gospel weekly! When Paul wrote, “woe is me if I preach not the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16), he was not suggesting preachers are motivated only by a fearful sense of judgment. While burdensome and challenging at times, the compulsion to preach is a divine call motivated primarily by joy (Philippians 1:18).

God Works Through Our Imperfections

Amazingly, God saves souls through our flawed preaching. That He does so is no excuse for indolence or lack of preparation but rather calls for praise to the One Who superintends our preaching to accomplish His perfect will. We study, we pray, and we do our very best, but ultimately, we rest in a sovereign God Who uses broken vessels to call souls to Himself.

We Get To See God Change Lives 

One of the greatest joys of preaching is seeing people come to faith in Christ. When we see lives transformed by the gospel, we are energized as nothing else can energize us. We may go many weeks or months before witnessing a true life change, but when it happens, we bow before God and receive new strength for future ministry.

We Grow When Serving Others

A minister once joked, “God called me into ministry because He knew I needed to be in church three times a week!” While uttered tongue in cheek, the minister’s greater point was that preachers benefit personally from the work they do largely for others. Whether preaching, leading worship, or counseling others, pastors themselves are continually challenged by God’s Word and enjoy numerous opportunities for spiritual growth.

Our Work Allows Our Family To Join Us

Unlike vocations offering little opportunity for the presence of one’s spouse or children, our family gathers regularly with us as we preach the Word and serve the church. While being a ministry family can be difficult at times, the benefits far outnumber the challenges.

So preachers: be grateful for what Martyn Lloyd-Jones called “the highest and greatest and most glorious calling to which anyone can ever be called!”¹ 

PREVIOUS COMMENTS:

1. John Hurtgen Todd, I especially liked your post today . . . the Lord knew I needed to be in church [PERIOD].
   
2. authorTodd Linn, PhD Thank you, Dr. Hurtgen! I appreciate your encouragement, my friend.

1. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones., Preachers & Preaching (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1972), 9.