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Dear Beloved Members, Pastors, and Supporters,
Sunday is not just another day on the calendar. It’s not a community event, a political rally, or a personal platform. Sunday is the Lord’s Day; a day to exalt Jesus Christ (Alone!), to proclaim God’s Word, and to lead God’s people to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Pastors, we have a Sacred responsibility every week to make sure nothing and no one shares the spotlight with Jesus. That may sound simple, but in practice it’s not always easy.
It’s tempting to allow announcements, special recognitions, or even national events to turn our attention away from the priority of lifting up Christ. Before you know it, the service can feel like it was more focused on an agenda, rather than God’s glory.
John the Baptist got it right when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). Our calling is not to draw attention to ourselves, our ministries, or even to address every societal issue. Our calling is to lead God’s people to magnify Jesus.
Here are a few ways to keep the focus on Christ each Sunday:
• Pray through the service order. Don’t just fill slots ask, “Does this help point
people to Jesus?”
• Minimize distractions. Keep announcements clear and concise. Save lengthy
presentations for other settings.
• Preach the Word faithfully. Every text points to Jesus, make sure your
sermon does too.
• Lead with expectation. Help your congregation see that Sundays are all
about meeting with the living Lord, not just attending a program.
When we keep Jesus at the center, the church is reminded of its mission, sinners are called to repentance, and saints are encouraged to keep the focus on what matters most. Remember that as you lead your church, guard the spotlight carefully. Make sure it stays right where it belongs on Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.
Lead On!
Richard Taylor
Director, Corpus Christi Baptist Association
Rtaylor@ccbaptistassociation.org
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