Preacher's Block

This preaching tip was shared by Preacher’s Block co-founder, Hunter Bethea. If you’re interested in joining the most focused preachers in the world and getting these tips sent to your inbox every week, sign up here.

As preachers, one thing we want to do is help our people focus on God and not distract them from Him. One way we can distract people is by the way we dress.

Now first, let me just say that as a male who has worked under female preachers, some people make insane comments—especially to women—about the way they dress. Like… insane. We aren’t responsible for keeping people from unmanaged sin that they fall into simply because we show up. But we are responsible for making sure that we’re not negligently wearing things that distract innocent congregants who are there to focus on God.

Personally, I’ve stopped wearing my collegiate class ring when I preach because 1) it’s shiny and decorative and I don’t want people to try to be looking at its design while I’m trying to talk about God, and 2) I don’t want people to be thinking about the football game yesterday.

Sometimes if we’ve got goofy socks on, it can distract. Other times, a lapel pin can focus peoples’ attention on a nation, cause, or organization more than on God. Clothing that’s too revealing (both men and women) can focus peoples’ attention on our physique. Clothing from an expensive brand can focus peoples’ attention on money.

Pay attention to what you where and try to not let it be a distraction. Balance both being authentic to who you are but also not distracting people from what you’re trying to communicate and the God who is in the room with you.