5 Benefits of Using a Preaching Calendar
One of the ongoing challenges of being a pastor is the never-ending demand of preaching. Though in my 3 ½ decades of church leadership, I never tired of the privilege of preaching, I found myself all too often struggling with the responsibilities of preaching.
As one veteran put it, “You will discover that Sundays come around with amazing regularity. And it doesn’t matter how well you ‘hit the ball’ – whether it was a home run, a ground-rule double, or a scratch hit – you’re up to bat again in seven days.”
That being the case, it is all too easy to feel overwhelmed not simply with sermon structure but with sermon content. Much of the battle is answering the questions of scope and sequence of topics.
One way to address this challenge is to use a preaching calendar. Laying out your teaching series for the next 6-12 months can provide you with a roadmap to follow toward a clear destination while allowing the flexibility to take necessary detours.
Here are 5 benefits of using a preaching calendar:
Enhanced leadership
A preaching calendar provides you with a clear leadership path. As pastor, you are also the primary vision caster. Your sermons will flesh out that vision. Using a preaching calendar will allow you to have scope and sequence to your vision.
Greater confidence
Because you know where you are headed you can more easily communicate to those who plan worship services. Thus, they can more confidently select ingredients for the worship service (music, videos, graphics, etc.) that will work with the message.
By giving them your calendar ahead of time, they will be given the gifts of direction and time. As well, there will be opportunity for idea sharing well in advance.
Better collaboration
Working ahead allows for collaboration with other ministries. Seminars and workshops can be offered as part of the sermon series.
Sunday School can track the sermon series and discuss it. It also allows for all-church campaigns (e.g. 40 Days of Prayer) where small groups can follow along.
Increased creativity
The best communicators and artists don't wait for a moment of inspiration. Their creativity flows out of ideas that have been slow-simmered in the crockpot of their imagination. When you know where you are going, ideas can be gathered over time. Books and articles can be read.
The best communicators and artists don't wait for a moment of inspiration. Their creativity flows out of ideas that have been slow-simmered in the crockpot of their imagination.
5. Reduced anxiety
There are always two Sundays in a pastor's week: the one you are getting over and the one you are getting ready for. By planning ahead you will really be planning for both. A preaching calendar removes the haunting anxiety about what to preach next because your plan is already in place.
There are always two Sundays in a pastor's week: the one you are getting over and the one you are getting ready for.
If you haven’t strongly considered using a preaching calendar, hopefully, all the reasons listed above will encourage you to give it a try.
To be sure, there are other issues to discuss on this topic, including arguments against such long-range planning.
That’s why I’ve created “The How’s and Why’s of Using an Annual Preaching Calendar.” It’s a short booklet that explores many of the questions and details of sermon planning.
I’m also offering a free interactive Annual Preaching Calendar template. CLICK HERE to download the version of your choice.
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