Interviewing Don Blackwell About the Preacher's Local Work

Many of you who read this will be familiar with Don Blackwell. He is a tremendous gospel preacher and is very active in evangelistic efforts like the Gospel Broadcasting Network and World Video Bible School.

I worked at the Gospel Broadcasting Network for a while under the leadership of Don, and I also attended the Southaven Church of Christ, where he was one of the preachers.

Don is very busy, and I’m thankful he took some time to share his thoughts and advice with us to help us in our local work as preachers.

How did you get started preaching? Did someone in particular encourage you to preach? Did you always want to preach, or did something happen to change your mind?

I was in the Air Force and unfaithful to the church.  Someone gave me a copy of the book Behold the Pattern by Goebel Music.  He had a chapter on repentance.  After reading it, I realized that I was lost, and I need to make some corrections. I wrestled in my mind for a while, because changing was going to disrupt my entire life, but I couldn’t sleep or focus elsewhere. Finally, I was restored and that year (1994) I attended the MSOP lectureship with some friends. When I returned, I decided that I wanted to preach the gospel.  Glenn Hitchcock, our local preacher, encouraged me to preach.

How has your approach to preaching changed from when you started preaching to today?

When I first got out of the school of preaching, I tried to be what they trained me to be at MSOP.  Eventually I realized that I just had to be myself.  My preaching greatly improved at that point. 

Early on in my preaching, my father-in-law gave me some great advice that has forever changed me.  He said, “Don, you can’t change a congregation overnight.  If you try, two things will happen.  First, you will get fired.  Second, they won’t change. Sometimes change takes years.”

Who were some preachers who had the most influence over your development as a preacher? How did they help you to grow?

• Glenn Hitchcock – He was our preacher when I was restored to the church.  He modeled what an effective local work should look like.

• Rod Rutherford – Rod showed me wisdom, balance, and what the heart of a preacher should look like.

• Glenn Colley – Glenn became my friend when we were both preaching in Alabama.  When issues arose that I didn’t feel prepared to handle, I could always turn to him for advice.  He handled a very large workload, but always had time for people.  He always returned calls and emails, unlike some others.

What would you say to a Christian man (young or old) who is considering preaching? How would you advise them to proceed?

I would tell him/them that we live in an environment today that is very concerned about offending people.  I would tell them to ignore that.  Practice the Golden Rule, but expect to offend people.  Don’t worry about trying to make a name for yourself or being on lectureships, or being asked to do gospel meetings.  Focus on saving souls and pleasing God.  Don’t neglect your family.

How would you encourage a less experienced preacher to keep going through the ups and downs of preaching?

We’ve all been there. When you have one of those days, find an older wiser preacher who you can call for encouragement.

How did you connect with an older generation when you were young, and how did you connect with a younger generation as you grew older?

Connecting with the older generation was easier for me, than connecting with the younger generation seems to be. If you will preach solid, substantial sermons and work hard, you’ll win the older people.  Also, make time for them.  Call and visit them.  They’ll be your friends forever. 

The younger people have been more challenging for me.  They seem to need more convincing.  Make time for them, and let them see that you practice what you preach.  Show them kindness under all circumstances.  Explain things on their level.

How has your appreciation for your brothers and sisters in Christ grown over the years? How would you advise less experienced preachers to think of their brethren?

Since my accident, I have grown to love the brethren like never before. They truly have benevolent hearts.  I don’t know how I would have made it without them.  I would advise a younger preacher to view the brethren as family, not as a job.

How would you advise less experienced preachers to face conflicts in the Lord’s church? What have you learned from going through various challenges within the congregation?

• Pray about the conflicts. 

• Have close confidants you can talk to. Make it someone older and wiser.  

• Remember that it has always been this way for God’s preachers.  This is not new.

• Don’t let the conflicts make you stop preaching.

How have godly elders helped you over the years? What advice would you give preachers who are facing the challenge of an eldership that isn’t all they are supposed to be?

The challenge of elders who aren’t what they should be is perhaps the greatest challenge that you’ll face as a preacher.  If your elders are sound, then you can face any challenge, knowing they have your back.  If they aren’t what they should be, be patient, work and teach patiently.  Sometimes the challenge of unqualified/ungodly elders can’t be overcome by the preacher, and you must move on.

How has your prayer life developed over the years? What advice would you give younger preachers about prayer?

I have grown to learn that prayers are so very essential to a faithful local work. Always pray before you prepare a sermon or a class.  Always pray before you deliver that lesson also.  I would advise all that they read Dan Winkler’s book, “Something Happened When I Prayed.” It has helped me.

How did you try to balance your work and your family? What advice would you offer younger preachers with small children at home?

I always took Mondays off and gave it to my family.  Make sure that you don’t sacrifice your children along the way in an effort to reach others.  Looking back, I wish I had spent less time doing gospel meetings when my kids were younger.  That is time that I can’t back.  Take your kids and wife with you when you travel when possible. 

What Bible passage(s) mean the most to you in your life right now? How has it come to mean so much to you?

I John 5:13.  For years, I worried about whether I could be good enough to be saved.  I had a “Saved / Lost – Saved / Lost” mentality.   I finally realized that that is an incorrect understanding of Christianity. I treasure I John 5:13 and the fact that I can know that I am saved.

If you would like to say anything to younger, less experienced preachers that hasn’t been mentioned, please do so here.

30 SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUNG PREACHERS

• Suggestion #1 - Preach the Word.  Preach the Word.  Preach the Word. 

• Suggestion #2 - Never apologize for the Word of God.

• Suggestion #3 - Make it practical.

• Suggestion #4 - Maintain dignity in the pulpit.

• Suggestion #5 - Dress with dignity.

• Suggestion #6 – ALWAYS, ALWAYS be prepared when you get up to teach or preach.

• Suggestion #7 – Don’t make preaching your occupation.  Make it your life.

• Suggestion #8 - Be yourself.       

• Suggestion #9 – You’re not going to find a perfect congregation.         

• Suggestion #10 - Be clear in your preaching.   

• Suggestion #11 - Can't please everybody, so don’t try.

• Suggestion #12 - Can’t change a congregation overnight.     

• Suggestion #13 - Greet people.   

• Suggestion #14 – Be respectful of older gospel preachers.     

• Suggestion #15 - Must be there for people.

• Suggestion #16 – Always be conscious of your influence. 

• Suggestion #17 - Holiness matters.       

• Suggestion #19 – Study every day.

• Suggestion #20 - Don’t lose your balance. 

• Suggestion #21 - Stay out of debt. 

• Suggestion #22 - Always pray before you preach.

• Suggestion #23 - Never compromise the truth.

• Suggestion #24 - Every person matters. 

• Suggestion #25 - Be a self-starter.

• Suggestion #26 – Do your best to plan for the future (retirement, health insurance, etc.).

• Suggestion #27 - When you move to a place to preach, give them time to get to know you before you hit them with the heavy doctrines. 

• Suggestion #28 - Never quit on a blue Monday.

• Suggestion #29 - Sometimes you'll be mistreated, but always conduct yourself as a Christian.

• Suggestion #30 – DON’T FORGET YOUR FAMILY. 

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Don Blackwell preaches for the Willow Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville, Tennessee. He serves as the Executive Director for the Gospel Broadcasting Network.

Don has been actively involved in producing videos to take to the gospel into the world for many years. Here is an example of one of his videos.