On Coasting

I worried about some of the students in my preaching class. The ones I worried about the most were the ones who were good.

Some students could get up and preach a reasonably good sermon in no time. They were just good enough that they didn’t need to work hard. I was a lot harder on them because I could see that some of them would be tempted to coast on their natural ability.

You can coast for a while and get away with it, but coasting won’t sustain you over decades of ministry. Coasting won’t develop the skills of an unashamed worker (2 Timothy 2:15). Coasting also violates the clear direction of Scripture: “Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15).

I’ve seen plenty of average preachers who’ve applied themselves and become competent preachers. And I’ve seen some gifted preachers apply themselves and become excellent. The ones I worry about the most are the gifted preachers and pastors who’ve decided to coast.