HOW TO TREAT A GUEST SPEAKER
R. Larry Moyer
April 1, 1983
When preparing to entertain a guest speaker, three questions need answers:
1. Have you prayed for this person's ministry?
I arrived at a particular church for an evangelistic meeting once and was impressed by two things: how much they talked to God and how much they talked to God about me. They had prayed for everything from my plane trip to my pulpit ministry, from my wife to my witness. One person commented, "I hope I get to meet your wife someday. I've been praying for her since the day they told us you were coming."
Pray for the guest speaker's family the way you would for yours if you were away from home.
Pray for the guest speaker's health, realizing a change in time zone, water, or climate can upset the body's system.
Pray for the guest speaker's trip, and the dangers of delay, cancellation, and lost luggage.
Pray for the guest speaker's messages. Time and wisdom for preparation are needed if the ministry is to be effective.
2. Have you considered the person's gift?
I was once invited to a church for a series of prophetic messages, but I'm an evangelist, not a prophetic teacher. Because I was told up front what I was wanted for, I had the opportunity to decline the invitation. Another evangelist I know was not told until he arrived what kind of messages were expected. Much to his surprise, they were not in the area of his gift.
Four words of caution are in order:
Use guest speakers where they're best. Consider their ability and your audience. Look at what they speak on the most. Normally, the things they do the most are the things they do the best.
Keep them at their best. Avoid too many services and too much activity. Studies reveal that delivering a thirty-minute message requires the equivalent of four to six hours of ...
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