I started preaching when I was seventeen, and when I was twenty-two, Dr. Maurice Watson was the first person to put me on a plane to come preach for him. Since that time, almost thirty years ago, I’ve learned some things from my travels, and I thought I’d share them with you:

1. Get the TripIt app. You’re welcome.

2. Boredom is not the friend of holiness (ask David). So keep a full schedule.

3. When it makes sense, take family with you.

4. Be mindful of your spouse’s capacity for your travel.

5. Don’t be a diva...or a jerk.

6. It’s a calling, not a gig.

7. At least once a year give the honorarium check back. You won’t miss it.

8. Rent your cars from National. You’re welcome.

9. Minister, don’t perform.

10. Once you say yes, don’t trade a “lesser” opportunity for a “greater” one. Be a person of integrity.

11. Call your spouse from the road often.

12. Minimize television. Maximize worship.

13. Maximize travel benefits. As much as you can, fly with one airline and enroll in their mileage program.

14. Never take the opportunity for granted. Show gratitude to your host publicly.

15. Whether to a handful or the masses, preach your heart out.

16. Workout.

17. Eat right.

18. No alone time with the opposite gender.

19. Don’t counsel the pastor's members. They’re not your sheep.

20. Preach shorter than the host pastor does. 

21. Keep track of what you preach and where. It will save you embarrassment. Believe me, I know!

22. Be understated in your dress. The people are there to see God, not you.

23. Ministry begins with the intern, not the stage. You never know how a kind word of wisdom could change the life of the one assigned to assist you.

24. Wash your hands often. You’ll shake a lot of them.

25. As soon as you get back, take the trash out. The last few days you’ve been catered to, so you need to remind yourself you are a servant.