Article Library

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By Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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Authenticity and Vulnerability

“Vulnerability has everything to do with you personally. It’s not about being rude so that you say the first thing that comes to your mind. Being authentic does not mean we yield all restraints. Restraint is a mark of maturity, and we learn what not to say at a time when it’s inappropriate. The vulnerability I’m talking about is the acknowledgement that you are 100 percent human. And you will make mistakes, and when you do, you are to apologize for your mistakes. You are to acknowledge it without hesitation, and you are to say to whoever the one is that has faced you with it, you’re right. We keep waiting for the words when people in Scripture are confronted. The simple words, ‘I have sinned.’”

Let Others See the Cracks in Your Life

“Let them see the cracks in your life. You’re not going out to make a big impression. You’re not going out to make anybody go ‘ooh and ah.’ You’re going out there to tell them about Jesus and Him crucified. And as gifted as the Lord has made you, you’ve got the equipment and because of His grace, you’ve been able to study here where these men and women poured themselves into you. But you’ll then be demonstrating, I hope, the truth. Continue to learn, continue to grow, continue to let the cracks show.”

Preach Jesus

“’I am here to speak of Jesus and His crucifixion.’ Why? ‘That your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God’ (1 Corinthians 2:5). Will you learn that, please. Will you learn that before you get out. Will you promise yourself that. They call you to wherever you will serve to represent Jesus Christ, and to continually address what He did and who He was. Do that faithfully, regularly. An old preacher taught me years ago, don’t ever let a message pass without mentioning the name of Jesus Christ. Don’t ever do that. Represent Jesus. Talk about Jesus. Tell them about the Savior. Present the Good News. Don’t hold back.”

Living Lives Like the Apostles

“We pray in Your time that You will cultivate in these lives the kind of authenticity that marked a man like Paul, and ultimately an apostle named Peter, and a lover like John, and simple men like Andrew, to take the message to the place of Your appointment.”

Acknowledge Your Humanity and Lean on Others

“The necessity of this kind of humility can be wrapped up in three things. Number one, identifying the things that have brought us to our knees. Paul does that beautifully. Acknowledging our own humanity. Paul models that like few others. And quickly relying on those who come to our rescue. Ministry isn’t a solo flight. You can’t make it on your own. You try, you will fail. Stay close to a few, really close. Stop hiding.”

Additional Resources

First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.

Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.

Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your finger tips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.

Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.

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