Pastor Fernando Ortiz, who leads Mile High Calvary in Colorado, shares his unique approach to ministry. He discusses the importance of retaining sensitivity and empathy while facing the challenges of pastoral life. Fernando emphasizes the balance between vulnerability and strength in preaching, advocating for authentic connections with congregants. He also reveals insights into effective sermon preparation and the role of mentorship in shaping preaching styles. The conversation highlights the necessity of humor and tenderness in delivering God’s Word.
Pastor Fernando Ortiz emphasizes the importance of maintaining sensitivity and empathy while preaching, despite the emotional challenges of ministry.
The podcast highlights the significance of balancing bold proclamations with tenderness, ensuring that preachers connect emotionally with their audience.
Deep dives
The Impact of Words
The speaker reflects on the significant impact words can have on others, especially in a preaching context. They acknowledge that attempts at humor or light-heartedness can inadvertently cause harm, leading to regret and the desire to cultivate empathy and compassion. This realization emphasizes the necessity for preachers to not only share biblical truths but to do so with sensitivity and awareness of their audience's emotions. The speaker points out that preaching represents only a small portion of ministry, asserting that the heart behind the message is what truly matters.
The Heart of Preaching
A conversation highlights the importance of the preacher's heart in delivering messages that resonate with the congregation. Preachers must balance being bold in their proclamations with tenderness, ensuring that they are not merely confrontational but are genuinely caring for those they reach. There’s a distinction made between addressing scriptural texts without sensitivity and presenting them in a way that connects with the listeners' lives. This careful approach to preaching is reinforced as essential to effective ministry and community building.
Developing Sermon Preparation Styles
The discussion encompasses how different pastors approach sermon preparation, emphasizing a planned and focused methodology. One pastor shares insights into their process, which involves initial reflection on scripture, followed by in-depth commentary research, culminating in the crafting of the sermon. This strategic approach allows the preacher to both understand the text thoroughly and communicate it effectively. The experience suggests that knowing how to prepare can help ensure that messages engage and edify the audience.
Importance of Vulnerability in Ministry
Vulnerability emerges as a critical theme in effective ministry, where being open and sensitive can enhance the connection with the congregation. The speaker cautions against developing a hardened exterior as a defense mechanism, stating that genuine love for others requires emotional investment. This vulnerability allows for real relationships to flourish, even when faced with challenges and criticisms in ministry. Acknowledging the challenges of maintaining sensitivity while preaching, the speaker emphasizes the importance of grounding oneself in their divine calling to navigate the complexities of pastoral care.
It’s been said that to be a preacher, you must have the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros. But is it really true that you have to grow tough and hard in order to endure the criticism and trials that come with being a minister of God's Word? Pastor Fernando Ortiz of Mile High Calvary in Highlands Ranch, Colorado says “no.” In this episode Fernando talks with Nick Cady about how he aims to not lose his sensitivity as a person and his heart for people even in the midst of the emotional ups and downs of ministry, and how that translates into preaching.
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