Pastoral Ministry, Part 8: The Primacy of Preaching

Preaching the Scripture to a prayerfully eager and receptive congregation is the most profound act of corporate worship. Because of its objective, propositional nature, the unambiguous central element of any worship service is the expository preaching of Scripture. Church time is far too valuable to miss the opportunity for people to benefit from the opening and explaining of God’s Word every time they meet. Tasteful and reverent music, fellowship, drama, testimony, and other elements should be included in worship where appropriate. When they are included, due to their emotionally charged and highly subjective nature, the pastor must take great care that they accentuate and draw people’s focus to the preaching of the Word rather than merely provide entertainment. Any time these beneficial but extraneous elements begin to cause strife and division in the church, it is time to reevaluate the emphasis being placed on them and return focus to the preaching of the Word.