In the process of applying for a teaching pastor position, I started to reflect on and write down a number of things I have learned over the years and hours I’ve spent speaking to audiences. I decided to share what I wrote with the Catch because I believe there are things here that will benefit us all.
My preparation to fill this role for you has been as a speaker to the Christian community at large for almost 30 years. I have made a career of speaking to all types of groups, all ages, and in many varying circumstances. In these demanding roles, the challenge is to entertain as well as teach, and I have learned to do both so that people laugh as they learn. I have also learned to make much of the laughter at my expense. People learn much faster if you point at yourself instead of pointing at them.
I have learned the utmost respect for my audience. I pray that I am never caught speaking down to people. I speak across – coming alongside and sharing life – uncovering truth in the ordinary human experiences common to us all. The greatest joy in teaching is to leave room for self-discovery. I seek not to tell as much as to lead people to where they can discover the truth for themselves. Giving people conclusions without showing them how you got there is pointless and leads to weakly held beliefs. Everyone brings their own mind and heart to a teaching; my job is to engage them, not force-feed them. I know I have done my job, not when someone feeds back what I said, but when they share what they discovered for themselves in their own words through listening to me.
And finally, the goal of all good teaching is action. A Sunday sermon without any changed lives is an anathema. The period at the end of the sentence is what to do about what you’ve heard. It’s the “So what?” of any talk that really counts.
Above all, the word of God is paramount. I consider the word alive and vibrant – energized by the Holy Spirit and translated by him to the mind and heart of each one. It is the substance of what I say. I consider it a sacred trust and a grave responsibility to be sure I am handling the word of God correctly. There is nothing casual about this. In today’s church, we may dress casually and speak casually, but the truth is and will always be serious business. If it’s true truth we speak, it will set people free. If it is not – if it’s altered or adulterated in any way – it will put us all in bondage.
[Yes, I am looking for a church that is looking for a teaching pastor. Feel free to suggest any opportunities you may know about. My goal is to not have to rely so much on the Catch for support, but until that happens, your donations are much appreciated.]
John Fischer The Catch 
I wish you much luck in finding a the right teaching position for you! I think you have been a wonderful teacher through The Catch, and while it will be sad if a new job affects how often you send out your catches, I think it will be a wonderful opportunity for you & your family and also for the new people you will teaching. You have certainly touched my life, and many others (I often forward your messages to friends & family). I greatly value & look forward to reading your daily devotionals, and will be praying for you in your new endeavours.
Blessings on your search for a teaching/preaching position. God will lead you to the right place, you know that. You and your family are in our prayers. Thanks again for the Catch. It is the light of my morning devotionals.
Dear brother John: I too will make meantion of you and your desires often to our Lord.
Will definitely pray that God will place you where He wants you right now, whether in a church, a school, or something totally different.
When you said “Giving people conclusions without showing them how you got there is pointless and leads to weakly held beliefs.” I was immediately convicted that this is my own personal weakness in sharing my faith effectively. I know things, I believe things, but being able to spell it out in a way that others can understand how I came to those beliefs is the hardest part. I’m glad that is a focus of yours to others.
A teaching pastor that is also a musician and writer. What a combination! I would think you would find many eager takers, especially among smaller churches where you need to wear more than one hat. I assume you have a theological degree. At which denomination(s) are you looking and how far are you willing to move?
That was a good summation of your background, John. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
John I affirm this search………..so many churches would benefit from your seasoned but not stale teaching ministry. I am wondering if you are open to relocation? That is a big one! Blessings to you and Marti.
Open if it’s right.
Wow! I am going to pray about this and look in my town of Paradise, CA or Chico, CA if there is a job open for you!
You can sing,teach and possibly dance! What I am most thankful for when I think of you is your amazing way of making Biblical true truths so real and practical!!!! Any Church that you end up in will be blessed!!!
Amen!
My church is currently looking for two associate pastors! Unfortunately, we are in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Still, if you’d like to get an idea of who we/they are, take a look at the web site for Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church — http://www.fapc.org. I am praying for you and Marti on this area of your need; I strongly believe you will indeed get the right position at the right place.
As I read this I definitely make a connection, since I too am looking for a teaching position. As a classroom English/Sanish teacher I learned some of these same strategies to use with my high school students. I think it makes our audience feel at ease and see us as a fellow human being. Over the years,I have used some of your quotes as my daily bell ringers. When students ask who you are, I answer with someone who, through his writing, teaches love, compassion, forgiveness, laughter, and joy. some of them have come to me after class and asked for your website. I truly hope and pray that God will bless you, Marti, and Chandler, as you have blessed my daily life for many years. I wish you were here in Florida because this state could really use a boost! With this last bill signed, firemen, policemen, nurses, teachers, and other state employees have lost their jobs. I am 1 of 17,000 teachers who lost a job due to severe budget cuts.
Wow. Thank you. And I love your description of my writing. When a teacher can’t teach, something is wrong. May God lead you to the next adventure.
God has something good in mind for both of us!
I most definitely agree with you. If you would be interested in a very small church in Canada (which I highly doubt) – I know of a few. Indeed, wherever you go will be with the prayers of those of us in your cyberspace congregation. we love you, John. At least, I do. 🙂
Thank you so much.
Dear John,
I think you would be a blessing as a speaker or teacher to any community church. I live near a non-demonational multi-ethnic church in Anaheim CA for many years. Knott Avenue Christian Church (KACC.com) Check out their website site or facebook to see some of their summer acitivities, including classes to help us improve our daily walk as Christians. God bless you and your family
Thank you. I’ll have to check this out.