No I am not meaning sex. I am meaning teaching/preaching. How many teach or preach? Were you super nervous your first time? How have you countered that and what tools have you utilized to sharpen that gift? I have only taught Sunday school twice and spoken what was on my heart three four times maybe. But teaching a congregation I am nervous about doing it. Yet I dont want them to know I havent done it alot so they wont have walls agianst receiving what I say. Every Bible teacher we all have heard of had different ways God trained them. What are some of the prsctical and spiritual things you've done to hone in on that gifting of teaching or preaching? (I am a teacher, definately not a fire ball preacher)
I've taught kids forever, probably more than half my life. That's easy.
Getting up in front of adults, now that was harder. My "first" spiritual "talk" in front of adults was leading prayer at Southeastern College (now Southeastern University!!) chapel service about 12 years ago. I just knew all the bible scholars & professors were there critiquing my prayer. I was so nervous that I'm sure I almost wet my pants.
But it has only been in the last 4 years that I have felt my calling change from kids to adults. I taught the adult S.S. class in our old church. We had a crowd there if we had 4 people. So, that helped me get over my nerves somewhat. I even "preached" a time or two.
Since we've been at our new church, I've "preached" 3 times. I'm probably going to start speaking/preaching more - maybe once or twice a month. I know that I've been called to speak, to women especially. I was thrilled a couple of weeks ago when my "home" church asked that I come speak to the women's group. I spoke to about 20 ladies. I was SOOO nervous, but God really helped me. The ladies at my home church were amazed. We were the children's pastors back when & I'm very quiet. They had no idea that I could speak to adults. To be honest, 6 years ago I wouldn't have. The ladies were all so positive & complimentary. It has boosted my confidence.
What I struggle w/ is semantics. I have a hard time calling what I do "preaching" or a "sermon." I don't know why. Maybe it's my insecurities. I usually say "speak." But I know this is where the Lord is leading.
But my first time preaching to the "grownups" was SO scary! My SP gave me the advice he gives all first-timers: Have fun and relax! He told the same thing to his wife when she preached on Mother's Day.
I would say just be yourself...Our YP is a southern-style, fire and brimstone, no-nonsense kind of preacher (the first time DH and I heard her preach, we decided on the way home that she was a cross between Joyce Meyer and T.D. Jakes!). My personality is a lot more mellow and low-key, and my preaching is a lot more "conversational." I was worried that people would expect me to preach like her, and I just don't - in fact, I'd sound faky if I tried, and would probably come across like I was mocking her and all other southern pastors . So I just went in with confidence, asked God to give me His words to say, and my sermon was just as effective as a "fireball" preacher's would have been!!
Remember that you are called and anointed to do what you are doing. Do not apologize for being nervous or concerned, because most of the time people do not know that you are "new" at doing what you are doing... When you are prepared mentally and spiritually for the task the Lord has promised to speak through you...
What I have learned is that although the people may be new to me and speaking to them may be new to me, being used by God is something that I live for and love. As you minister you are simply God using a vessel now as He did through Jesus Christ. Why should we be nervous in sharing the gospel if we are indeed the living epistle?
You are prepared for this, you are anointed for this, this is your time, this is your destiny, this is your season - WALK IN IT!
It is like a job interview - you are going into this ministry opportunity hoping to be accepted, however what the people are looking for are three basic things, are you prepared, are you confident, and are you ready to work... I believe that you are... Therefore just FLOW!!!!!!!!!
I'm never very comfortable about speaking. Our church is VERY charasmatic and my dh is a fireball preacher. Me..., however, I'm not a fireball. On occasion, a different annointing has come on me and caused me to be very passionate about what I felt the Lord was saying to tell the people. But that has only be occasionally.
Honestly, I'm struggling with speaking to our congregation in a preaching format after recently going through the episode with the CA. (by the way, she left the church and called my cell to apologize and ask for forgiveness) I'm determined to not allow the enemy to silence me, but I find that I'm more concious of what I am sharing with our people. It's easier to let someone else preach and I'll just be in the cheerleading section. I'm really good at that part.
Anyway, I'm on a much needed vacation right now and visiting family. YAHOO! -so hopefully, after this I'll feel recharged and ready for action when we get back home. -we're on our way to Disney!! - YAHOO!!!
. So I just went in with confidence, asked God to give me His words to say, and my sermon was just as effective as a "fireball" preacher's would have been!!
