Guiding and overseeing religious practices
In the Evangelical Focus, author Michael Quicke highlights the importance of understanding the roles of preaching and leading within a church community.
Preaching, the delivery of sermons that communicate biblical truths, sound doctrine, and exhortation, is crucial for spiritual growth and Christlikeness among believers. On the other hand, leading, which involves casting vision, setting values, guiding direction, and inspiring people to follow this vision, is vital for providing a clear, actionable vision that mobilizes people and resources towards mission.
The key differences between preaching and leading lie in their focus. Preaching focuses on clear and faithful biblical teaching and exhortation, while leading focuses on vision, values, and motivating people to act on that vision. Leadership defines the "why" and direction, whereas preaching addresses both "what" God’s Word says and "how" believers should live it out.
Effective leadership is essential for a church to function well. It guards against paralysis by analysis or reckless activity, providing a clear, actionable vision that mobilizes people and resources towards mission. Preaching, meanwhile, forms the foundation for spiritual growth, maturity, and discipleship, imparting sound doctrine and helping believers understand and apply Scripture, and guarding against theological error.
When preaching and leading are combined effectively, a pastor or church leader is able to provide biblical clarity and spiritual depth through preaching, inspire and mobilize the congregation toward a shared, God-given vision, balance theological teaching with practical leadership, and address both the spiritual formation and organizational growth of the church. This synergy results in a dynamic church movement that grows in faith and impact, as vision becomes concrete and actionable through preaching that clarifies doctrine and calls for obedience.
However, it is important to note that leadership without preaching has become too common in some churches. Leadership without communication is not possible, and having a preacher who is a guest rather than a local person of influence can also undercut their leadership. The biblical pattern suggests that a church should be led by a group of qualified elders, not necessarily effective preachers, but individuals who can communicate and interact with people as individuals.
The author, Michael Quicke, emphasizes that preaching and leading should not be divided in a mutually exclusive manner. When leadership and preaching are divorced, the church may function more like a business than a spiritual community. Not every leader has to preach, and not every preacher has to be an in-house leader, but when the majority of the preaching in a church is leadership preaching, there is real potential.
In summary, preaching and leading are distinct but complementary roles that together shape a healthy, growing church community. Peter Mead, a mentor at Cor Deo and the author of several books, further explores these roles in his writings and blogs at Biblical Preaching.
Leadership, an essential aspect for a church to function well, not only provides a clear vision but also mobilizes people and resources towards mission. However, it should not be divorced from preaching, as preaching provides the foundation for spiritual growth, maturity, and discipleship. Without the biblical teaching and exhortation found in preaching, a church may function more like a business than a spiritual community.
