Last week I talked to a pastor who nearly quit during his fifth year at his church. He wanted to quit, the church wanted him to quit, but for some reason he hung in there. Now he's in his 18th year at the same church and his preaching ministry has finally hit a sweet spot.

My point is not that you should always stick it out. My point is that deep, effective, Spirit-anointed preaching is slow work. It takes time to build trust. It takes time to hone your craft. It takes time to study a biblical text. It takes time to know your people and your cultural context. So, preacher, I urge you to accept this slow work of God. Don't be in a hurry to change the world with one amazing sermon or one flashy sermon series. Learn the art of slow preaching, long-haul preaching, week after week preaching. It will bear more fruit than you could ever imagine.

This week we also feature:

• Featured Sermon and Interview: The Gift of Celibacy by Stewart Ruch III—a powerful new way to think and preach about "singleness"
• Illustration: Christian Apologist Found His Calling through Limitations
• Video: Obstacles

In Christ,

Matt Woodley
Managing Editor, PreachingToday.com
mwoodley@christianitytoday.com

P.S. I really encourage you to check out the sermon and skills article interview with Stewart Ruch III—The Gift of Celibacy. I believe it will challenge you to rethink the way you preach on singleness, marriage, and even Christian community.

Matt Woodley is the pastor of compassion ministries at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois.