What are some issues that the pastor must be concerned about if he is to be an effective preacher week in and week out? In chapter 5 of The True Nature of a Gospel church, John Owen sets forth ‘sundry things [that] are required unto this work and duty of pastoral preaching’:
1. Spiritual wisdom and understanding in the mysteries of the gospel…
2. Experience of the power of the truth which they preach in and upon their own souls…
3. Skill to divide the word aright…and this consists in a practical wisdom…to find out what is real, substantial, and meet food for the souls of the hearers – to give unto all sorts of persons in the church that which is their proper portion…
4. A prudent and diligent consideration of the flock over which any man is set, as unto their strength or weakness [etc.]…
5. Zeal for the glory of God and compassion for the souls of men.
(Works of John Owen, vol. 6, pp. 76-77).
You could remember the main points using the acronym PREACH. These are things that you should pray for and seek to cultivate in your life and ministry:
(1) Passion for God’s glory
(2) Right application of the Word,
(3) Experience of the power of the Word for yourself,
(4) Apprehension the gospel,
(5) Consideration of the flock, and a
(6) Heart for people
