Finding pulpit supply can be a daunting task. If we are honest this can be a bit of a scary time. While there are a variety of reasons why you might need supply, it does indicate that things are changing in the life of your fellowship, and that can be scary and stressful. In my years of ministry I have learned a few things that help make a season of pulpit supply easier. This top 10 list of suggestions should help make the process easier and make your guest speakers want to return.
Without further ado, here is my top 10 tips for when you are using pulpit supply.
10. Tell your guest what time he should arrive for your service. Be sure you figure in enough time to allow him to settle in and get a microphone put on.
9. Let your guest know whom he should expect to greet him when he arrives, whether it is you or another designated host.
8. No one wants to feel out of place, so be sure to let your guest know what kind of attire to wear.
7. Let your speaker know when the deadline is for getting information in the bulletin or on the screens, as well as the contact information for whoever is responsible for compiling that information.
6. Let your speaker know what translation of the Bible your church normally uses.
5. Show great hospitality to your guest. Enlist a volunteer to be sure your guest is well taken care of. Provide him with bottled water, coffee, and a place to pray and put his belongings. If you have multiple services, providing a few moments of quiet and a snack between services could be a great encouragement to your guest.
4. Be sure that you have talked with your speaker about how your church handles response time and what he should do to end the preaching time.
3. Take time in your service to introduce your guest speaker and let him and the church know how much you appreciate his coming and are looking forward to hearing what God will say through him.
2. State your expectations from the beginning of what you want your guest speaker to do. When you invite him, communicate how many services you have and what time those services are. Do
you want him to teach a Bible study class or facilitate some kind of training with another group in the church? Don’t wait to ask him after he arrives.
1. Determine how much you can pay in honorarium and expenses. While the exact dollar amount varies based on the church size and what you are asking your guest to do, I encourage you to be generous. Also, as a rule, you should offer to pay mileage for those who are traveling more than 25 miles to preach for you.
If you will put these 10 tips into practice when using pulpit supply, I think you will find it a much better experience for everyone involved. Since you made it all the way through the Top 10, here’s a bonus for enduring.
Bonus: Don’t be afraid to give your guest speaker an assigned text or theme for the sermon. You might think that you are tying his hands, but in most cases, you are actually freeing him to better serve your church.
I hope that these tips will help you as you walk through a season of pulpit supply. Don’t give up, don’t give in, keep trusting Jesus and know that He is going to move in your church even in a season of transition. If I can be helpful to you in the future please feel free to reach out to me.
Husband of Christin, dad of Julia and Josiah. Coffee connoisseur and guitar lover. He is the Worship and Administrative Pastor at Waterloo First Baptist Church, Waterloo, Illinois. He has more than 15 years of ministry experience.