Welcoming A Guest Preacher Ensures A Great Event

By Judy Sullivan


Many church congregations will be presented with a guest preacher at certain times throughout the year to speak about certain topics. Any visit by an outsider will require certain steps to be taken in order for the minister or speaker to be fully versed on why a request is being made. The process is a formality for most congregations because the individual is usually known throughout the community as a well rounded speaker.

The invitation to speak is often accomplished by the current pastor, and the first contact that the two individuals will have will be done through a conversation over the telephone. Certain forms may be used to make a more formal request, which would be required to meet Church standards of conduct. Certain facts must be compiled before the visit is placed before the Church board for approval.

The speaker will need to provide information on a form that will solidify details for each event. The form will convey the reasons that the visit is necessary. People are often asked to speak during events that celebrate life, and death. Baptisms, revivals, and seasonal holidays are notable events that need to be formally recognized by persons of faith.

An announcement is created for each speaking event and is usually mailed to all members of the congregation. Some churches will have a fellowship after the speaking engagement, and that information will be included in the announcement. Some people that agree to speak at an event will have to come to the church from another State and arrangements for lodging will need to be made.

Certain spaces on the forms sent to the speaker will influence the scheduling of the event, and the speaker is given the opportunity to ask for certain things that are needed to make the event message clear to all visitors. The items could be a table or songs that would be sung by the church choir or the speaker might ask for a pitcher of water.

Before the church staff can create an announcement, certain information must be obtained from the speaker. Many forms given to an invited guest will allow room for the spouses name and any children are to be identified. The form will contain any facts that pertain to the persons educational background and any activities that pertain to spreading the Word of God to others.

When inviting a person to speak at the church, certain costs must be discussed because church monies must be alloyed to cover those cost. Any speaking fees will be presented, and additional costs that the speaker will incur before arriving to the location, such as fuel costs. The Board will have to vote on all costs associated with the visit.

When a guest preacher is in town, it is expected that the congregation will realize that the engagement is extra special, especially if the speaker is being considered for an open position at the helm of the church. Some speaking fees may be paid when the engagement is over. Based on the persons abilities, church leaders expect that the day will be remembered by all members, especially if it is released in the weekly newsletter.




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