An Interview with Clint Pressley

Clint Pressley is the senior pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. His previous experience includes six years as senior pastor at Dauphin Way Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.

SBC Today: What do you think are the greatest challenges and opportunities confronting the SBC?
Clint Pressley: I believe the challenges and opportunities facing our convention go hand in hand. We are fortunate that many of the fundamental doctrines we believe to be sacrosanct have been long established at a time when other denominations are struggling with issues like the inerrancy of Scripture and the centrality of the cross. We have long since settled those matters; and as we build on this foundation of strong doctrine, we are poised to continue leading out in other areas.

I do, however, believe the SBC is facing an identity crisis. Are we going to continue doing the same things we have always done (creating more programs, spending more money on bureaucracy) or are we going to adapt to the challenges that face a 21st-century gospel people? Are we going to get serious about the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations or are we going to retreat into our provision, our programs, and our paperwork? We face a choice. It is not a choice that we make one time but a choice that we make every day: Are we going to turn this mighty weapon of God known as the church on our enemy or will our armaments grow tired and rusty while we continue to haggle over things that have no eternal impact?

SBC Today: What are your thoughts about a possible SBC name change?
Clint Pressley: The name change does not bother me. If it is feasible from a legal and financial standpoint and will better identify who we desire to be, then I am in full support.

SBC Today: What is the key to being a faithful/effective/successful pastor?
Clint Pressley: God demands two things from those He places in leadership over His church: humility and holiness. Everything that it takes to be an effective minister of the gospel is bound up in those two characteristics. One of most dangerous things in any church in America is a pastor that struts around the church like an emperor.

A pastor must be faithful in prayer. E. M. Bounds once wrote, “Many of those occupying prominent positions in church life are not praying men. It is greatly to be feared that much of the work of the Church is being done by those who are perfect strangers to the closet. Small wonder that the work does not succeed.” Pastors must maintain a close-knit family. We must have a deep love and affection for those we shepherd. I believe that successful church leaders will not live a balanced life, but their lives will be weighted heavily toward the work God has called them to and that we should engage all that God has entrusted us with in the proclamation of His gospel. I believe that everything we do must be saturated with the Word of God. I believe that we should work with everything we have and be willing to laugh with our people, laugh at ourselves, and pour our hearts into our ministry.

SBC Today: What is one key mistake that you see pastors and/or church staff members making that causes them problems in their churches?
Clint Pressley: I think oftentimes we guard ourselves and choose not to invest in people at all levels. Sometimes the most unlikely of people will surprise you because you choose to make a small investment.

SBC Today: Who are two or three of your “heroes in ministry”?
Clint Pressley: The first person that comes to mind is Johnny Hunt at FBC Woodstock. He is faithful to the word, faithful to his church, faithful to his family; and I don’t think anyone in the convention works harder than he does to reach his city and the world for Christ. I love his passion. Another stalwart in ministry is John Piper up in Minneapolis. He is always faithful to preach the Word and doesn’t stray from the truth. Even in that, though, he is ever-mindful of his need for a Savior and his inability to act outside of the sovereign hand of God. He is a tremendous example of humble shepherding of the flock of God. A few others would be Rick Byargeon of Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, LA and Harry Reader of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. These men have all had a tremendous influence on my life in many ways.

SBC Today: What is the toughest lesson you have learned in ministry?
Clint Pressley: I have learned that no matter how hard I try everybody is not going to like me. Oftentimes pastors have to make hard, unpopular choices to remain faithful to the Word or the vision God has given them. I have to constantly remind myself that I serve a one-member audience.

SBC Today: What is your approach to preaching?
Clint Pressley: I believe preaching is the proclamation of God’s Word and not the pronouncement of a man’s opinion. We are calling 2012 “The Year of the Bible” at Hickory Grove. During my sermon preparation I always start with Scripture and read it ten times, very slowly. After that I handwrite the passage on a legal pad and start developing blocks of thought from the text that will become my main points. Next I consult the appropriate language tools and get the semantic domain of the most important words in the chosen passage. Then I will consult critical commentaries to make sure I’m not inventing things that cannot be substantiated by the text. Next I consult some devotional commentaries to see other’s ideas. As I continue I set the overarching theme and points to support the argument, develop opening thoughts, and incorporate augmenting scriptures. Sunday mornings I get up at 3:45, write out the full manuscript (always by hand), preach 5 times, go home, have lunch, and collapse.

SBC Today: How do you help your congregation focus on missions?
Clint Pressley: We believe that the goal of missions is to reach the nations and that the nations begin across the street. We strive to always keep missions at the forefront of what we do. We keep missions in front of our people, our staff, our leadership, and each of our ministries. We engage in 12-15 cross-cultural missionary journeys annually that are commissioned by our church. Each program or event that we have is tied to a mission’s purpose. Each Sunday school class adopts an HGBC missionary on the field. Our student ministry takes a trip each spring break and each summer as well. We also have manifold entry points within our community for our people to get involved in some capacity.

SBC Today: What are the most significant doctrinal issues that the church will struggle with in the next few decades?
Clint Pressley: It is difficult to gaze into a crystal ball and see what struggles are coming our way. Each church will wrestle with different things. I think the temptation will always be to water down the gospel in an attempt to make it more palatable to a wider audience. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not palatable to sinners. It confronts, offends, and convicts; but, if we will let it do that, then it also saves, restores, and redeems. We can disagree on many things, but we must never lose sight of the gospel, the whole gospel and nothing but the gospel.

SBC Today: How do you balance ministry and family responsibilities?
Clint Pressley: Ministry does not allow for balance. I love my family dearly and keep them very close but our home is saturated with what I do in ministry. I am not seeking balance but unbridled intensity in both areas.

SBC Today: What do you do for fun?
Clint Pressley: I enjoy old-school weightlifting (like from the 30s and 40s) and I like old cars.

SBC Today: What are your two or three favorite TV shows? Movies?
Clint Pressley: The only television show I watch is NCIS. I like all of Clint Eastwood’s westerns, and of course Tombstone.

SBC Today: Thanks, Clint.  We appreciate the young preachers such as yourself who are faithful expository preachers of the Word!

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