As I write this, I am a preacher on sabbatical after two years of weekly preaching. I am a “young” preacher in that this is my first preaching job, although not young in age. I have done exhausting jobs before, but this exhaustion caught me by surprise.
So, for the sake of the tired preacher who feels unseen or for the congregation member who wants to understand the unique fatigue of their pastor, here is my attempt to explain why preaching, particularly with time limitations, is exhausting.
Joy Clark
Preaching is exhausting because it is personal. Much of what I preach comes from my innermost self and spiritual life. This is true even when I share it as a generic experience. Plus, in good conscience, I cannot preach what I am not living. The message comes forth from my heart and then turns around and evaluates my heart.
Preaching is exhausting because it is a one-way conversation. In normal conversation, people respond much more than even the liveliest congregation. You hear the story of others and ask questions or make comments. Preaching puts one in a strange relationship of being known by people you do not know well.
“Preaching puts one in a strange relationship of being known by people you do not know well.”
Preaching is exhausting because I fear God. I ask so many questions: What is God’s message? What should I not say? Am I right before God personally before I step on a stage? Will anything I say dishonor God? I am called to be a pastor to these people and lead this church, so what do they most need to hear?
Preaching is exhausting because, at least for many pastors, it never stops. The only time I had to craft my next series or plan my next quarter was the weeks I had “off” from preaching, so studying never stopped. Take my last family vacation, for example. I wrote a sermon on the road trip and returned home by Saturday night so I could preach Sunday. When I had been sick in bed for three days, I preached. When I twisted my ankle and had to bear most of my weight on one foot, I preached. When life wore me down, I preached. When I was struggling and felt unspiritual, I preached. And to God’s glory, the word of God did not return void even in those weeks.
Those are some of the reasons preaching can be exhausting. Church, I hope you appreciate the gift of spiritual food your pastor prepares for you each week. I hope you can love and support their efforts that are likely much greater than you know. Thank your preacher this week.
Weary preacher, I pray you can step off the sermon treadmill and be fed yourself. May God send people to hold your arms up and occasionally bring the word of God to your church while you rest.
Joy Clark is a Baptist minister and guest preacher in Central Texas committed to trauma-informed preaching and the ways pastoral language shapes those impacted by unhealthy marriages. She holds a master of divinity degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary and is trained as an abuse advocate. She and her husband enjoy road trips and a good mystery.