Talent Only Takes You so Far 11.9.2023

     I’m just going to assume that you are a good preacher. I am going to concede that you know how to properly exegete scripture. I will consider it a given that you know how to transform the fruit of your study into an engaging sermon. I believe in you and your capacity. I’m going to give your home or ordaining Church the benefit of the doubt. They knew you and your abilities when they set you apart for ministry. If you attended one of our Bible Colleges or one of the Biblically oriented denominational or independent institutions of higher learning—you were taught what you need to know and equipped with the right tools to enhance the leadership gifts bestowed by God’s Holy Spirit to strengthen His Church. 

    I have heaped all that praise on you and your abilities to get to this specific point. Talent will only take you so far. It is right and good to be confident in the gifts and abilities God has given each of us. Paul makes this specific point in Romans 12—

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” (Romans 12:3 ESV)

God gave you the gifts to execute them. Paul is indicating that using those gifts confidently is simply an outcome of believing that they come from God, honor God, and contribute to the Church.

     Let me repeat myself. Talent only takes you so far. The talent if it is not toned loses focus. The tools, if they are not properly used, become rusty. The focus and intensity that we felt when we were young are eroded by time. Talent only takes you so far because talent unless it is developed has an expiration date.

    Much of what I write in these essays and post as my weekly blog is simply a prolonged campaign to help preachers cultivate both their talents and gifts. I have concerns about where we will get the next generation of trained and equipped preachers. Maybe the first step in guaranteeing that we have a next generation is empowering the current generation to do such an effective job preaching that the respect once held for the local preacher is restored. The key to calling and nurturing young preachers is helping them to understand, not only the need for challenging preaching but also giving them a glimpse of the satisfaction that comes from knowing you are doing the one, best thing God has called you to do.