From Preaching Magazine (2026 Spring)
One of my favorites people is a man named Srdja, the lead concierge in the apartment building where I reside. I feel privileged to live in a building that offers this level of support. Srdja (pronounced “serge”) and his team are always there to greet my guests, receive my packages,
and troubleshoot my issues at any hour of the day or night. It struck me that, in some respects, my concierge would make a pretty good preacher.
The Art of Service
In the world of hospitality, a concierge is more than just a desk clerk with a list of local restaurants. They are experts in the art of service, anticipating guests’ needs before they are even fully aware of them. A skilled concierge doesn’t simply offer I recommendations; they tailor the experience to fit the guest, creating an environment of trust and attentiveness.
Similarly, the task of the preacher is not unlike that of a concierge. A preacher must offer more than just information; they must provide guidance, care, and spiritual nourishment, anticipate the needs of the congregation and meet them where they are.
A Personal Connection
One of the primary functions of a concierge is to ensure that guests feel valued and heard. They engage with guests, asking questions to understand their needs, preferences, and desires. In the same way, good preaching is a personalized act, rooted in a deep awareness of the listener’s spiritual condition, cultural context, and emotional needs.
Like a concierge, a preacher must know their “guests” – not just collectively, but as individuals, each with unique burdens, joys, and struggles. This level of attentiveness requires the preacher to be both listener and observer, attuned to the pulse of the congregation. It means paying attention to what is happening in the lives of those who gather week after week. What are their questions? What do they struggle with? What are the deep, unspoken desires of their hearts?
Preaching should address these questions with compassion and insight, meeting people where they are while still upholding the deeper truths of the gospel. The goal is not simply to inform but to transform – to guide people into a richer, fuller understanding of God’s love and grace.
The Craft of Anticipation
A concierge is a master at anticipating needs. When a guest arrives, they don’t wait for the guest to ask for help; they are already prepared with a recommendation for a great place to eat or a shortcut to the airport. In preaching, this means thinking ahead about the congregation’s needs and crafting a message that speaks directly to them. It requires careful reading of the text, understanding not only what it meant in its original context but how it connects to the lived experience of the people in the pews.
Anticipation in preaching is about appreciating what God wants to do in the moment of the sermon. Preaching is more than just articulating biblical concepts and propositions; it is about facilitating a transforming encounter between people and their God through Scripture, under the leading of the Holy Spirit. This means that something is going to happen as God speaks into the lives of those who listen. Good preachers have the capacity to anticipate what they can do to enhance this connection between the speaking God and the listening believer.
Preaching that anticipates the congregation’s needs does not mean pandering to their desires or simplifying the message to make it palatable. Rather, it means crafting the truth of the gospel in a way. that is relevant, engaging, and life-giving. It’s about being sensitive to the culture of the congregation, remaining faithful to the text, and facilitating the action of God through the proclamation of his message.
Service with Excellence
A good concierge doesn’t just meet needs; they exceed expectations. They go the extra mile to ensure the guest’s experience is memorable. In preaching, this describes a commitment to excellence in preparation, delivery, and care for the congregation. A preacher must put in the time to study the text deeply, ensuring that the message is rooted in Scripture and presented clearly.
But beyond the mechanics of preparation, there is a deeper call to serve with joy and humility, recognizing that preaching is not about showcasing personal eloquence or cleverness but about serving others with grace. As preachers, we are serving people, offering “living bread” in the name of Christ. This requires not just skill but deep humility and a heart for service. Like a concierge who gives of themselves to make a guest’s stay special, the preacher gives of themselves to make God’s presence felt in the lives of those who gather.
A good way to think about concierge service as a metaphor for preaching is that the sermon we offer is an act of hospitality. It is about creating space for a welcoming connection with the God who is speaking his love and grace into the listener’s moment in time. It is about helping the listener feel at home in the presence of the gospel. It is offered in the spirit of giving to those who have gathered to receive.
We had a recent scare in our building when Srdja almost died. For several weeks, he was unable to work as he struggled through a serious problem with his heart. Fortunately, he recovered, and I was able to have a long conversation with him upon his return. I always have a lot of time for Srdja because I know the condition of his heart. The quality of his service attracts me, drawing me in and making me want to listen to the stories of his colorful life. His sense of responsibility for the residents of the building reflects the heart of a pastor, and as a result, he is widely appreciated.
I’ve known a few preachers like that – ones who make it clear that they are there to serve. Their
hospitality has compelled me to stop and listen. Their personal attention makes me want to hear what God is offering through their service. I want to be like that in the preaching that I offer. I suspect you do as well.
