35 years ago, as a young man eager to serve the Lord, I received wise advice from my pastor Paul Goeller, “Preparation precedes presentation.” This statement offers a timeless truth that has stuck with me ever since, and has numerous applications.
“Preparation precedes presentation” is rooted in God’s Word. God prepared Israel for the arrival of the Messiah throughout the Old Testament. Before Jesus launched into his ministry, he spent 30 years preparing, and more specifically, he spent 40 days in the desert “full of the Holy Spirit” and “led by the Spirit.” (Luke 4:1) The disciples spent three years with Jesus in preparation, and Paul spent three years in Arabia (Gal. 1:17).
In the training I offer globally, I emphasize the need for pastors and ministry leaders to prepare well before they stand before people to present God’s message. Oftentimes this seems strange to Africans who are used to figuring things out as they go. Yet careful thought beforehand will lead to more understandable communication that aligns better with God’s intention in the biblical text.
Another application of this principle relates to my month of August. August is the one month that I don’t make any international trips. I need this month to prepare for the following year filled with travel and much “presentation.” I use the month to develop curriculum for the trainings I will be offering. I communicate with our global leaders, set plans for where to go, when, and with which workshops, follow up with stateside pastors about trainings, check in with supporters, catch up on many projects that have been set aside during the busy year of mission work, and the like. I also spend extra time with the family and with the Lord to prepare my own heart and soul for the demands of my job. “Preparation precedes presentation” is vital for long-term health so I can guard against poor performance or burnout.
As I look at my schedule for the next few months, Holly and I are both recognizing that several essential elements need to happen in August in order to navigate the fall. On top of other responsibilities, here is what training trips look like at this point:
- Sept 5-7 – Training pastors in Philadelphia
- Sept 15-30 – Training pastors in Mali and Central African Republic
- Oct 12-21 – Training pastors in Malawi
- Oct 29 – Nov 2 – Curriculum revision work in Minneapolis
- Nov 6-17 – Final training and graduation in Uganda
- Dec 1-9 – Training pastors in Tanzania
Each of these trips and trainings represent dozens of hours of work in preparation, all for God’s glory, so I appreciate your prayers and partnership. May God cause August to be a productive month of preparation preceding another year of presentation.