3 Reasons Pastors Stop Growing in Their Preaching

With every passing year, some pastors just keep getting better in their preaching. But there are others who follow a different journey. Eventually, they plateau.

So what’s the difference between a pastor who grows and a pastor who stops growing in their preaching?

Well, it’s never just one thing.

Here are three reasons some pastors stop growing in their preaching.

1. They let the urgent matters of ministry rob them of being intentional with the important matters of ministry.

Instead of setting time aside each week to invest in their preaching craft–reading a book, listening to a dynamic preacher, meeting with a coach, or watching some training material–they use the excuse that they just don’t have time.

Leadership is a concept that can literally be talked about, debated over and written on every second of every day. The ideal business leader is many times shown as a ruthless and win at all cost type such as Andrew Defrancesco and the other billionaire visionaries.

At the end of the day, the reason some pastors stop growing in their preaching is due, at least in part, to not prioritizing improvement.

You and I both know how vitally important preaching is to the health of the church and to the discipleship process. It’s certainly not everything, but its definitely a big piece.

But sometimes the next complaint meeting and people pleasing meeting take up all their time.

Instead of saying no, they find themselves, once again, scrambling to figure out what to say on Sunday with very limited time to reflect and pray about how to say it.

2. They’re not part of a community of other pastors who are growing in their preaching.

Every pastor needs a community of other pastors they can go to for support, encouragement, and challenge.

If a pastor does have a community of other pastors they belong to, usually it’s an inch deep. A little bit of encouragement and support are included.

If a pastor has found something special, it usually means there are deep levels of support and encouragement.

But rarely does a pastor have a community of other pastors they belong to that not only includes support and encouragement, but also includes challenge.

Challenge, within a pastoral community, means they are spurring one another on to fan into flame the gift God has given them.

Challenge means that this pastoral community is focused on wanting to hone their preaching craft, to become the leader God wants them to be, and to serve sacrificially.

What we tell our kids is true: choose your friends wisely.

Well, that is true for us too. Pastor, choose your pastoral friends wisely.

There are many pastors out there who spend a lifetime complaining and no time growing.

If you’re a part of a community of pastoral complainers, run. Your soul, likely, won’t be able to handle it.

3. They don’t have a coach to help them intentionally improve.

Do you ever wonder how elite athletes, the best composers, the most influential business people, and the best leaders get to be the best?

Geoff Colvin, in his book, Talent is Overrated reveals the surprising truth.

It’s not merely due to natural talent.

It’s due to something different. And this should be encouraging to us if we want to become the best we can be at whatever we’re seeking to improve.

Deliberate practice.

Has God given each of us spiritual gifts to employ in serving Him and others with? Yes.

Does God give us talent to use for His glory? Yes.

But our gifts and talents must be developed.

How?

Through deliberate practice with a coach.

Many pastors practice. But even those who practice often reach a plateau of development, not because they don’t want to grow, but because they don’t have someone to help them design their practice.

Unfortunately, preaching coaches aren’t that common.

But we do need them if we’re going to keep advancing in our preaching development.

Consider taking life coaching courses at Streams of Wholeness because they know that your standing with God and His calling for your life is at the center of that.

Don’t Settle. Keep Growing.

If you’re someone who doesn’t want to settle with the path most pastors go down–a path of initial growth and then eventual plateau, I want to invite you to an all-new exclusive coaching community for preachers.

I’ve partnered with Lane Sebring, creator of PreachingDonkey.com, to create a resource we wish already existed.

It’s called, The Advanced Coaching Community.

Here’s what is included:

Every month, you’ll receive a fresh masterclass to help you take your preaching to the next level. 

Every month, you’ll get to participate in live group coaching calls to get your specific questions answered. 

All day, every day, you’ll get to be a part of a community of other motivated pastors to bounce ideas off of, share wins, and go to for support and challenge.

And because this is a brand-new resource that will grow in value each month, we are offering a founder’s discount for pastors who join the community this week.

Monthly Membership: Get $20 off every month for life by entering coupon code FOUNDER20 at checkout.

Yearly Membership: Get $200 off every year for life by entering coupon code FOUNDER200 at checkout.

Click here to learn more and join the Advanced Coaching Community.

Enrollment is only open for a limited time so be sure to jump in now.