The Week in Review

A Preaching Plan –
What are the Benefits?

It was discussed that the preacher needs to have disciplines in his or her life. One discipline that can be beneficial to the preacher is having a preaching plan. What is a preaching plan and what are the benefits? The author, Donald E. Demaray (2006) in the book, Introduction to Homiletics gives the benefits as well as what a preaching plan entails.

A preaching plan is basically the preacher mapping out what he will preach for a given amount of time. The plan may be three months or what works best for the minister, thus saving him time. However, Demaray says that it does much more when he states, “But mapping a preaching program does more: It relieves the mind of the burden – a big burden – of deciding on text and theme every week.” (p. 86). The first benefit of a preaching plan is to help the minister to be a better steward of her time. If she is preparing a preaching program she not only saves time but also the stress of trying to find the many themes needed each week.

The second benefit of a preaching program is that it becomes a guide to the parishioners. Demaray adds his insight on this one point when he states:
“Preaching through a book of the Bible, or part of a book, feeds both pastor and people with food prepared by a special chef – Paul in the case of Ephesians, Luke in Acts, John in 1 John, etc., each coming up with their own recipes” (p. 87)

The preacher or pastor that uses the preaching program is able to plan a well-rounded meal for his parishioners. He is able to plan messages around a theme or what he feels is needed for the people. This way the people are able to eat the meal as Demaray states.

Presenting to the church a balance of the scriptures helps to prevent the body of believers from becoming prey to cults because of lack of teaching.
“A preaching diet accounts in no small measure for communicating truth or error, moral integrity or laissez faire behavior, spiritual health or inadequate health maintenance. God’s people receive thorough grounding and nurture if they hear the full scope of Bible truth. Programmed preaching helps the pastor set an adequate table Sunday after Sunday. Do you suppose cults come on the scene in part because preachers ignore certain Bible teachings?” (Demaray, p. 87-88)

In summary, the preaching plan or program helps the pastor to prepare what he will present to his congregation. In doing so, he is able to save time as well as ensure that a balanced program is presented to the people. One benefit is people are helped, encouraged and fed a complete “diet” as well as a pastor that is strengthened as well. The example of being fed is a good analogy. If a mother were to plan a meal for her family, she would not serve the same foods for seven days. She would balance the meal out between different foods. She would do this to make sure her family has received the nutrients they need and can only receive from different foods. She would do this also to help keep her family interested in what is being presented to them. This is what the preacher does when he prepares his preaching program. The preacher is presenting to his family a different meal at each sitting so they will receive the nutrients they need that will come from the different dishes presented to them. This is how the preacher protects and cares for the family. He uses the tools available to keep the family safe.