Have you ever wished you had an assistant to help you to do research for your sermons, Bible studies, and other talks that you prepare? Have you ever thought to yourself, "If I was pastoring a megachurch, I'd have a full-time assistant to help me find illustrations, statistics, and other helpful material...
then I wouldn't get so overwhelmed with all this work I have to do?" The good news is, that whether you are pastoring a church of 10 or 10,000, you can get the help that you need.
If you are willing to lay a little groundwork, and plan your preaching and teaching ahead of time, all the assistance you need is sitting out in your auditorium on Sunday morning.
Here's what you need to do: 1) Announce that you are looking for three or four people who are interested in doing research (especially online).
Or you can handpick people who you think would do a good job.
2) Meet with this group of people once every couple of months and give them the topics you will be preaching and teaching on for the next eight weeks or so, along with the Biblical references you will base those talks on.
Of course, give them at least a two-week lead.
3) Ask them to search for any material that would help you to illustrate the upcoming messages that you have provided topics/texts for.
Ask them to search for interesting stories, fresh statistics, jokes, etc...
and to e-mail those to you at least a week prior to your message.
You will be absolutely amazed at the amount of material that you will have at your disposal if you choose the right people to help you with this.
And they will be very, very glad to know that they were able to assist you.
The first time they hear you use a story that they sent you, you will be able to see the satisfaction on their face.
A couple of things you must remember: 1) You need to remind your research team that you will not be able to use all the material they send you.
Let them know that you are going to file any material you can't use and hopefully be able to use it at a later time.
2) Constantly thank them and let them know how much you appreciate the great work they are doing for you.
And believe me, once you put this system in place, you will be truly grateful! Oh, one more thing...
once you've tried this out for awhile, drop me a line and let me know how it's going.
Or better yet, post a comment on this blog to let everyone else know how helpful this practical suggestion has been to your work of ministry.
In Christ, Barry
then I wouldn't get so overwhelmed with all this work I have to do?" The good news is, that whether you are pastoring a church of 10 or 10,000, you can get the help that you need.
If you are willing to lay a little groundwork, and plan your preaching and teaching ahead of time, all the assistance you need is sitting out in your auditorium on Sunday morning.
Here's what you need to do: 1) Announce that you are looking for three or four people who are interested in doing research (especially online).
Or you can handpick people who you think would do a good job.
2) Meet with this group of people once every couple of months and give them the topics you will be preaching and teaching on for the next eight weeks or so, along with the Biblical references you will base those talks on.
Of course, give them at least a two-week lead.
3) Ask them to search for any material that would help you to illustrate the upcoming messages that you have provided topics/texts for.
Ask them to search for interesting stories, fresh statistics, jokes, etc...
and to e-mail those to you at least a week prior to your message.
You will be absolutely amazed at the amount of material that you will have at your disposal if you choose the right people to help you with this.
And they will be very, very glad to know that they were able to assist you.
The first time they hear you use a story that they sent you, you will be able to see the satisfaction on their face.
A couple of things you must remember: 1) You need to remind your research team that you will not be able to use all the material they send you.
Let them know that you are going to file any material you can't use and hopefully be able to use it at a later time.
2) Constantly thank them and let them know how much you appreciate the great work they are doing for you.
And believe me, once you put this system in place, you will be truly grateful! Oh, one more thing...
once you've tried this out for awhile, drop me a line and let me know how it's going.
Or better yet, post a comment on this blog to let everyone else know how helpful this practical suggestion has been to your work of ministry.
In Christ, Barry