Why I pace before I preach

I pace before I preach. This is not a big secret. I lost count of how many people commented on it both before and after the service on Sunday. Some expressed concern that the soles of my shoes are thick enough to withstand the pacing. Others who frequently lead worship commented that they enjoy watching me pace while they sing. I clearly have a reputation!

One person asked why I pace. I saw something that answers that question today: John Piper answering a question about how we should preach. You can see it here.

What jumps out at me is where he says, in reference to 2 Timothy 4:1-2:

So the effect this has on me is to make me feel: this is not a game. This is really serious! We’re not just telling little stories. I’m not sharing my wisdom or my sense of humor. I am a broker here, a mediator of the living God to a flock of people who need to hear the word of God week in and week out.

So that text is huge for me, because it ups the seriousness of it all, connects it with the word of God, and makes me accountable that I will be judged someday because their souls hang in the balance here.

That’s why I pace.

But as I heard this, a new thought occurred to me: why don’t I pace before I hear the word of God preached? The stakes are just as high, but very personal. Each week my soul hangs in the balance. I need to hear the word of God so that I will see God as glorious and good, and not be deceived by the deceitfulness of sin. I need to hear the word of God so that I will not lose hope, or fall into error, but persevere in faith.

I spend a lot of time preparing before I preach, because I believe that it is serious. It occurs to me that I should also make sure I prepare to hear God’s word preached as well, because that is just as serious.

Posted by David Fenton on Oct 15, 09:52 AM