How to help the preacher preach

Those of you who have had the priviledge of preaching know that sometimes it can be a little nerve wracking to be up in front of a group of people, all looking at you expectantly, expecting YOU to deliver the power of God Himself into the midst of the meeting, convicting sinners and backsliders, comforting the wounded and sorrowful, opening eyes to understand the things of God...

So, I thought I would offer a tidbit of advice to those of us who may not be on the platform...

1. It ain't all the preacher's job. The preacher's calling is to PREACH, to PROCLAIM. But YOU have a job to do as well...

2. Before the start of the meeting, do not engage in idle chit-chat with anyone about the weather, or sports, or (Lord forbid) gossip. Instead, devote yourself to prayer, prayer for God to use you, to use the preacher, to use whoever may be ministering in whatever capacity, for the power of God to be manifest, for souls to receive salvation, healing, understanding, revelation, whatever God wants. Pray right through the announcements if necessary. (Not loudly, necessarily, but you know what I mean.)

3. During the preaching, be in constant prayer for the success of the meeting, for the success of the gospel. Be in constant supplication for God's Spirit to manifest NOW in POWER. Be seeking God and EXPECTING God to MEET NEEDS NOW in THIS MEETING. Be praying for a holy reverence of God to fill the room, to fill everyone's hearts, for the spirit to prepare everyone's hearts to receive what GOD wants to do THIS MEETING. Sometimes, it might not be a bad idea to crawl under that pew and just intercede (not talking about creating a disturbance, necessarily, but you get the idea.)

4. During the singing, sing with all your heart, oblivious to pride and self-consciousness about your voice or whatever. Do not be afraid to get excited, do not be afraid to clap (even if no one else is). Do not be afraid to stand up and lift your hands, quit waiting for the row in front of you to stand first! And if no one else stands, or claps, or sings aloud, so what? Do you feel you would be inadvertently drawing attention to yourself? Make yourself a spectacle, showing people what praise looks like! Let people see that you are not ashamed to praise almighty God for His wonderful grace!

5. While the preaching is going on, carfully look around you. Do not be too obvious, but look around. Do you see if the preached Word is affecting anyone? Does anyone's face or expressions or body langauge show they are being impacted by the Word? Pray for them. Lift them up silently in prayer. Keep them in mind. Pray that God does what He needs to do, and that they receive what they need to receive.

6. During any altar calls, look again at that person... do they seem to be struggling with a decision? Here great wisdom is needed, and experience, and the Spirit's leading... perhaps you might do well to get up and go to them... perhaps you just need to crawl deeper under your pew and cry out to God for them...

7. ALWAYS look for an opportunity to testify! Don't wait for popcorn calls, 'Anyone got a testimony or praise report?' Stand up, raise your hand, and when asked to speak let the Spirit gush forth from your heart. You will be amazed at how God uses testimonies to reach people's needs and hearts...

8. Be ready to give your assent to another's testimony. Go ahead, get crazy and shout out a hearty 'Amen! Praise God! Hallelujah! when someone testifies of some wonderful thing the Lord has done for them... no matter how insignificant it may seem...

9. When the preacher makes a solid declaration of Truth from God's word, or an especially poignant remark, respond! Amen the preacher, Shout, clap, stomp, stand up and dance if the situation calls for it! What good does this do? It lets the preacher know there are people supporting him in his endeavor to get God's Word out to people. It let's people know something is happening they need to pay attention to - the Word of GOD is going forth! (this is basic, Pentecostal stuff. We all ought to know about this, and not need any exhortation to do this... but I am amazed at how many professing Pentecostals sit like lumps on a log in service after service after service...)

10. Be prepared to be the first to answer an altar call. Many people are timid. They want to go forward, but are afraid. Seeing someone else go before them may be just what is needed to break them free of pride or fear or whatever is holding them back... Don't worry 'If people see me go forward they will think I am backslidden or something...' If you worry so much about that, you may very well BE backslidden! Go forth, and lead the captives to the fount of blessing!

11. Stay at the altar. Stay and pray with the people who come forward. Don;'t leave until they indicate they want to leave. Forget about the music. We all know when that particular song comes on, it's time to vacate the altar. Nonsense! It is time to leave when God says it is time to leave!

12. Make sure you have an idea what you are doing at the altar for praying with anyone. If you do not know HOW to minister in the altar, then you may need to limit yourself to just praying for them. Do NOT wrestle them, strangle them, slap them, pound their back, pull their arms up, lift their hands up, or put your hands anywhere on them except on their head or shoulder. Do not push, rock, pull, shake, or any of that nonsense. The Holy Ghost is like a gentle dove, not a shrill crow or a pecking vulture. Do not try to speak to someone who already has someone speaking with them. Two ears on a head doesn't mean they need a different voice in each ear.

13. Stay after the altar service. Continue to pray. Do not be so quick to escape and get out of there. I have seen many many services wind down, and most people leave... and then the Holy Ghost explodes all over the place. Don't leave until God tells you to leave!

14. MAKE SURE you find a moment, if at all possible, to go and pray for the preacher. Nothing elaborate, no need to act like you are Isaac conferring a blessing on Jacob or anything, but let him know by your ACTION that you hold him up to God in prayer.

15. If the preacher ministered unto you in spiritual things, and you were blessed, make sure you contribute in some way to their material needs. Whether cash, food, taking them out to dinner, or whatever you can do, do something. This is God's way.

16. Once you get home, don't forget to pray! Pray for the preacher, for the meeting, for everyone there.

I suspect, that if we do these things, we would begin to see great things. I have. Everytime I have seen this put into practice, it has resulted in spiritual growth and the manifesting of the power of God.

Are you in a 'dead church'? DO YOUR PART TO BRING REVIVAL! There may be labour pangs, there may be a season of spiritual warfare and perseverance.... but we shall reap, if we faint not...

[DanielR]

A few good men/women of God should also "corner" the preacher for a short prayer service prior to the start of service. This is for the Lord's leading with what is to be proclaimed.

[LadyChocolate]

Preach it! Post that a second time! Ahuh Yes sir!



Actually, in all seriousness, I agree.... though I am not a preacher, one in the family is good enough, I understand what you are saying! A former pastor of ours used to encourage us to get behind the preachers so they feel more comfy behind the pulpit..... it helps everyone out...the preacher, the saints....it all works out good!

Originally Posted by DanielR

A few good men/women of God should also "corner" the preacher for a short prayer service prior to the start of service. This is for the Lord's leading with what is to be proclaimed.

Yes indeed! Keep it up, though, and that 'short prayer service' might turn into a full blown revival...

[DanielR]

Originally Posted by Eliseus

Yes indeed! Keep it up, though, and that 'short prayer service' might turn into a full blown revival...

It's been known to happen...lol

[mizpeh]

Excellent post! Thanks for the encouragement.

[RandyWayne]

While I am not an "AMEN!" or "Preach it!" type person and never will be, I agree with the bulk of the list.
Simple respect goes a long way and at least appearing to be interested! NO ONE wants to talk to a group of people who look like their are falling asleep or could care less about what you have to say.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Some folks need in my church need to read this.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Eliseus

Those of you who have had the priviledge of preaching know that sometimes it can be a little nerve wracking to be up in front of a group of people, all looking at you expectantly, expecting YOU to deliver the power of God Himself into the midst of the meeting, convicting sinners and backsliders, comforting the wounded and sorrowful, opening eyes to understand the things of God...

So, I thought I would offer a tidbit of advice to those of us who may not be on the platform...

1. It ain't all the preacher's job. The preacher's calling is to PREACH, to PROCLAIM. But YOU have a job to do as well...

2. Before the start of the meeting, do not engage in idle chit-chat with anyone about the weather, or sports, or (Lord forbid) gossip. Instead, devote yourself to prayer, prayer for God to use you, to use the preacher, to use whoever may be ministering in whatever capacity, for the power of God to be manifest, for souls to receive salvation, healing, understanding, revelation, whatever God wants. Pray right through the announcements if necessary. (Not loudly, necessarily, but you know what I mean.)

3. During the preaching, be in constant prayer for the success of the meeting, for the success of the gospel. Be in constant supplication for God's Spirit to manifest NOW in POWER. Be seeking God and EXPECTING God to MEET NEEDS NOW in THIS MEETING. Be praying for a holy reverence of God to fill the room, to fill everyone's hearts, for the spirit to prepare everyone's hearts to receive what GOD wants to do THIS MEETING. Sometimes, it might not be a bad idea to crawl under that pew and just intercede (not talking about creating a disturbance, necessarily, but you get the idea.)

4. During the singing, sing with all your heart, oblivious to pride and self-consciousness about your voice or whatever. Do not be afraid to get excited, do not be afraid to clap (even if no one else is). Do not be afraid to stand up and lift your hands, quit waiting for the row in front of you to stand first! And if no one else stands, or claps, or sings aloud, so what? Do you feel you would be inadvertently drawing attention to yourself? Make yourself a spectacle, showing people what praise looks like! Let people see that you are not ashamed to praise almighty God for His wonderful grace!

5. While the preaching is going on, carfully look around you. Do not be too obvious, but look around. Do you see if the preached Word is affecting anyone? Does anyone's face or expressions or body langauge show they are being impacted by the Word? Pray for them. Lift them up silently in prayer. Keep them in mind. Pray that God does what He needs to do, and that they receive what they need to receive.

6. During any altar calls, look again at that person... do they seem to be struggling with a decision? Here great wisdom is needed, and experience, and the Spirit's leading... perhaps you might do well to get up and go to them... perhaps you just need to crawl deeper under your pew and cry out to God for them...

7. ALWAYS look for an opportunity to testify! Don't wait for popcorn calls, 'Anyone got a testimony or praise report?' Stand up, raise your hand, and when asked to speak let the Spirit gush forth from your heart. You will be amazed at how God uses testimonies to reach people's needs and hearts...

8. Be ready to give your assent to another's testimony. Go ahead, get crazy and shout out a hearty 'Amen! Praise God! Hallelujah! when someone testifies of some wonderful thing the Lord has done for them... no matter how insignificant it may seem...

9. When the preacher makes a solid declaration of Truth from God's word, or an especially poignant remark, respond! Amen the preacher, Shout, clap, stomp, stand up and dance if the situation calls for it! What good does this do? It lets the preacher know there are people supporting him in his endeavor to get God's Word out to people. It let's people know something is happening they need to pay attention to - the Word of GOD is going forth! (this is basic, Pentecostal stuff. We all ought to know about this, and not need any exhortation to do this... but I am amazed at how many professing Pentecostals sit like lumps on a log in service after service after service...)

10. Be prepared to be the first to answer an altar call. Many people are timid. They want to go forward, but are afraid. Seeing someone else go before them may be just what is needed to break them free of pride or fear or whatever is holding them back... Don't worry 'If people see me go forward they will think I am backslidden or something...' If you worry so much about that, you may very well BE backslidden! Go forth, and lead the captives to the fount of blessing!

11. Stay at the altar. Stay and pray with the people who come forward. Don;'t leave until they indicate they want to leave. Forget about the music. We all know when that particular song comes on, it's time to vacate the altar. Nonsense! It is time to leave when God says it is time to leave!

12. Make sure you have an idea what you are doing at the altar for praying with anyone. If you do not know HOW to minister in the altar, then you may need to limit yourself to just praying for them. Do NOT wrestle them, strangle them, slap them, pound their back, pull their arms up, lift their hands up, or put your hands anywhere on them except on their head or shoulder. Do not push, rock, pull, shake, or any of that nonsense. The Holy Ghost is like a gentle dove, not a shrill crow or a pecking vulture. Do not try to speak to someone who already has someone speaking with them. Two ears on a head doesn't mean they need a different voice in each ear.

13. Stay after the altar service. Continue to pray. Do not be so quick to escape and get out of there. I have seen many many services wind down, and most people leave... and then the Holy Ghost explodes all over the place. Don't leave until God tells you to leave!

14. MAKE SURE you find a moment, if at all possible, to go and pray for the preacher. Nothing elaborate, no need to act like you are Isaac conferring a blessing on Jacob or anything, but let him know by your ACTION that you hold him up to God in prayer.

15. If the preacher ministered unto you in spiritual things, and you were blessed, make sure you contribute in some way to their material needs. Whether cash, food, taking them out to dinner, or whatever you can do, do something. This is God's way.

16. Once you get home, don't forget to pray! Pray for the preacher, for the meeting, for everyone there.

I suspect, that if we do these things, we would begin to see great things. I have. Everytime I have seen this put into practice, it has resulted in spiritual growth and the manifesting of the power of God.

Are you in a 'dead church'? DO YOUR PART TO BRING REVIVAL! There may be labour pangs, there may be a season of spiritual warfare and perseverance.... but we shall reap, if we faint not...