Why Preaching Matters

Phillip Hines

The year 2022 was a challenging one for me. During that year, I concluded a full-time ministry that had spanned forty-nine years. Forty-two of those years were spent with the same congregation. At the same time, I became more aware of the importance of preaching than at any other time in my ministry.

Throughout the years, I often wondered whether my ministry was having a positive impact upon the lives of those with whom I came in contact. For periods of time, I would preach God’s Word and have no visible results. There would be no conversions, restorations, or additions to the church. When I exhorted people “to abound in the work of the Lord,” it seemed that no one moved. Time was spent in homes, hospitals, and funeral homes. I encouraged the weak, the fallen, and the lost. There were occasions when I would ask myself, “Am I really making a difference in the lives of others?”

Little did I know what was going on in the hearts and minds of some of those who listened, and with whom I spent time. Numerous were the times I received an email, card, text, or call, telling of someone’s conversion or restoration after I had preached at a particular location. The seed had been sown, but it had taken a little time for it to germinate in the heart of the listener.

This past year, I learned in a very special way that preaching does make a difference. It was during the summer of 2022, and I spoke for the Madison congregation in Huntsville, Alabama on a Wednesday night. It had been mentioned by the person introducing me that I would be retiring from full-time ministry. After the lesson, a couple came over and thanked me for a message they heard me give years ago. They had attended one of my “Strengthening the American Family” campaigns. They shared about how the message they heard that night had saved their marriage. Many years had passed without me knowing that! A few minutes later, a young man approached to tell me about another message I had preached long ago and how it had affected his life. He recalled a lesson that I had given on parenting. He remembered that I shared about often eating breakfast with my daughter at McDonalds during her teen years, as some of the things we discussed. He said, “My daughter is now a teenager. I’m doing the same thing with her, and it is great! Thank you for that lesson.”

Again, this was unknown to me. Driving home that night, I reflected on those two conversations. I wondered how many more similar stories are out there. I probably will never know in this life. That is the beauty of preaching. Preaching changes lives!

On the last Sunday of 2022, I preached my final sermon for the congregation where I had been serving for forty-two years. During the weeks prior to that day, I received many calls, emails, texts, and postings on Facebook. Once again, I had no idea how much my ministry had meant to so many. Below is a post written on Facebook by a young mother which moved me to tears.

He was there to meet me after I was born. He baptized me when I was eleven years old. He was a mentor throughout my entire youth. He counseled and guided my husband and me as we prepared for marriage. He married us in 2004. He was a best friend to my dad and mom. He visited after the birth of our children. He prayed with us and for us while dad was so critical at UAB. He spoke the most beautiful and heartfelt words at Dad’s funeral. He has fed me spiritually my entire life. I am so blessed to have had the same minister and shepherd be a part of my life the last almost forty years – a part of so many of the most special, happy times and a support through some of the lowest, saddest times. You have led your flock so well.

Do not think that I am just an old preacher bragging about my past. As you get older, you too, will look back and see things in the past that you could not see as a young preacher. There will be times when you will wonder if your work is worth it. You will not always be able to see the seed you have sown in someone’s heart take root and begin to grow. That is the beauty of preaching. That is why preaching matters!

Do not ever forget, that preaching simply places the seed into the hearts of the listeners. It is the seed of the Gospel, and not the messenger, that brings about change. As we preach, the seed will fall on various soils. Sometimes it may seem that the only soil we speak to is harder than solid rock. However, it is simply our job to sow the seed. So, keep preaching. There is more good soil out there than you will ever know!