I guess I can sort of see what Neck is saying here.... but at the same time, the same tactics will not work for every service. I've been in this since I was a child. There are times when you will preach with a heavy heart and only have a single text to go on.... and God changes lives.... But there are also times when you will be teaching and notes would be very beneficial. Not just for you, but for the congregation as well. There is nothing wrong with saints following along with a handout to use a reference. I like tangible studies that I can take home and go over time and time again....
I don't care who you are, you won't remember every point you want to make all of the time. My husband, who has an incredible memory, uses a few notes to make sure he doesn't forget anything.
It's kind of sad that you assume that most people here would not make it in the business world. Do you know most everyone here? My husband, who is a minister, has worked in the business world since I've known him. He doesn't work for small businesses. He's been all over the U.S. and has worked for high level companies in integral parts of the company. He is a hard working man. But he doesn't put in 80 hours a week. He's not Superman... Well, actually he is, just not 24/7
My point is, don't assume anything at all... Don't assume that you know what you will do in a certain situation. Don't assume that people on this forum wouldn't make it in the business world. It's good to have goals and a general idea about how you would like things to go, but you just don't know what you really would do... Spending time with saints in the hospital will take some of your prep time. Calls in the early mornings will disturb your sleep and you might not be able to think clear the next day. Prayer time may go longer than what you planned for, thus taking time away from your prep time. Playing ball with the children and paying attention to the love of your life will take away from prep time. Sometimes pastors still have to work a job outside of the church.... There goes more time out of your prep time. However, if you are blessed with a congregation that will pay lots of tithes, and you don't have to work, you will have lots of saints to spend time with.
My hat is off to all you pastors out there. well, if I wore one it would be off. You don't need to be a Superman...... you just have to be a man of God!