And now, my own answer to the question I raised several posts ago regarding the importance of preaching, the role of the preacher, etc.
First, I noticed from the comments of many that a distinction must be made between preaching as personal evangelism and preaching in the vocational sense. As for the former, I agree with those who say that all are responsible to share the love of Jesus with those around them by any ethical means available. I did not intend to discuss that aspect of preaching, but thanks to those who took my question that way for your thoughts. It shows the need for clarifying in our thinking the role of preaching within a church context.
I'll continue on by asking and answering questions like those raised by myself and by your comments.
What is preaching?
Jesus went about preaching, says the Bible. He was no alone. So did the apostles. So did the prophets. So did John the Baptist. What is it? How does it differ from other forms of teaching?
There are books on this subject, so I will not be so lengthy. In short, preaching has it's own Greek word (sounds like "karuxo") that is different from teaching. It has a teaching component, but it is more heralding or announcing or declaring.
What is the value of the pulpit?
The pulpit, in Christian tradition, represents that place where specific men, called by God to a specific office (that of Elder "who works hard a preaching and teaching, a.k.a. the pastor). The pulpit preaching carries on the teachings of the apostles. What did the apostles teach? The meaning of the Old Testament in light of the New. In other words, they took the old Testament and added what they personally knew by their knowledge of Jesus and by the Spirit. This teaching is captured by the New Testament.
This preaching of the Word is the means NOT ONLY OF BRINGING SALVATION TO THE LOST, but is also the food for the church. It is a mistake to think that the main job of the church is to bring the message of salvation to the lost. That would be like saying that the main job of the family is finding more kids to adopt. The main job of the family, rather, is to run itself with love, be a healthy family, well run, that builds up and protects all it's members. Adopting more children is only one part. Likewise, the main job of the church is to become a healthy church, building up and strengthening it's members. Evangelism grows the number of the church and is a very important job of the church. However, if upon entering the church, the new convert does not find life, and love, and health, and a glorious organism that worships God and teaches them how to obey all the Jesus commands, then all is lost!
Jesus is clear that we are to learn to follow Him. The vast majority of the preaching in the life of a Christian happens once he has already received Christ, and that is how it should be. God gave "pastors and teachers" for the building up of the saints for service. The majority of the churches preaching is not to be specifically to the lost.
Preaching is the means of feeding the flock. The flock lives not on food, but on every word that falls from the mouth of God. God has ordained preaching for this purpose. Paul exhorts Timothy, telling him to "preach the word," because there will be many who don't want to hear it IN THE CHURCH. He tells him that the word is adequate to do the job of sanctification, for reproving, training, and all the rest. He tells him that he must teach faithful men who will teach others (2 Tim 2).
Now, if I may preach for a second, let me say that I despise short sermons and I despise felt needs sermons and all the trendy stuff. Why? because the Word of God is worthy of the time it takes to preach. so many sermons I hear are not of the word anyway, but the thoughts of the pastor combined with a proof text. It is time for feeding the sheep the word.
The steady declaration of the cross of Christ and the gospel will feed the sheep and the lost. The showing of the cross of Christ within the other areas of teaching will also feed the sheep.
Who can preach?
Again, I am not talking personal evangelism here (anyone and everyone can), but of that specific ministry within the church given to those known as "elders" who "work hard at preaching and teaching." Not anyone is to do this. It is a calling. Who is called? Well, that's an important question, but it is a different post. we can't answer it all here. I'll tell you who is not called though. No one is called simply because they feel called. 2 Timothy 3, Titus 1, both speak to the qualifications of Elders specifically. no one should assume the authoritative position of a preaching Elder if they do not fit those descriptions. Must one be an ordained elder to enter a pulpit? no. but they should be invited by an ordained elder and overseen in that manner. The preaching of the Word is given to those God calls. But He says, "Let not many of you become teachers..." (James), clearly pointing to the authoritative position within the church.
Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?
Yes, of course it should central and even greater than other ministries. If you can either sing or preach, then preach. For it is in declaring the Word of God that the man is changed. Singing has it's place, but preaching is first. When we are in heaven, there will be no need for preaching. Then we shall sing forever. Till then, as we "see through a glass dimly" we must preach. We must declare Him until He arrives
I offer most of this by way of conclusions. In other words, much work must be done to prove and support each assertion. we can discuss those issues if you want to. Let me also clarify that I am not referring to the evangelist. This person is called to the public proclamation of the gospel in a unique ministry manner. Although every Christian should evangelize, not every Christian is an evangelist. As the Ephesians text says, "God gives some . . . as Evangeleists..." not all. They, like pastors and teachers, exist for the building up of the church. They not only add to its numbers, but they are the best teachers to all of us in methods of preaching the gospel ourselves (as we all must).
9 comments:
I LOVED your response! I am in agreement. I think, what greatly concerns me and I realize this may be a bit off topic, yet still related and explains the reason for what appears to be a slightly leaning response before, is that many evangelical churches, who truly do get that salvation is the only way to have relationship with God, have soo missed the mark on teaching biblical evangelism. Like I said, we are feeding troughs of bibles studies, discipleship and fellowship groups, but hardly even ONE that teaches and trains up a new believer to present the gospel biblically, let alone to the seasoned believer. MANY believe that sharing their testimony is sharing the gospel, but it isnt. And even at that, people dont share their testimony. Our churches are full of easy believism, sugar coated Jesus and a watered down gospel. After reading Revivals Golden Key, now renamed The Way of the Master, I finally got it and it broke my heart, to repentance. I have the book in pdf format if you would like it. Anyway, here is something that I thought you and your readers would like to read. It is written by a real pastor, whom I had the pleasure to meet...and it also mirrors an experience I had in real life, not in a dream...
Dear Brother Ray,
I have been a pastor for 25 years. I always thought I was doing a reasonably good job. Kind of like the folks that tell you they consider themselves "good people." I had tried to preach, what I thought, was the whole counsel of God. I prayed, over the years, with many people to accept Jesus and make Him Lord of their lives.
My wife Judy and I moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico about six years ago to plant a church. Shortly after arriving I was convicted that something was horribly wrong with my ministry. I read the scriptures and prayed earnestly that God would show me what was wrong. The feeling continued to grow and I became depressed and moody. I asked Judy to pray for me and explained my problem. I didn't know if this was the Holy Spirit convicting or Satan attacking. She prayed that God would reveal the cause of my depression and make Himself clear as He revealed any problem with my ministry for Him.
That night I had the most terrifying, realistic, blood chilling nightmare any man has ever had. I am a Vietnam veteran and I know a little about nightmares. Nothing in my experience has ever come close, nor do I ever want it to, to the horror of that night!
I dreamed that it was judgment day and I was standing right next to the throne of God. I noticed that to my left and my right were pastors as far as I could see. I thought this was odd that the Lord would reserve this front row space for pastors only.
I looked out across a space of only a few yards and there were millions, maybe billions, of people, yet I could see each one of their eyes staring at me. As I studied this group I noticed that I knew many of them from times at the altar or ones who had sat under my teaching. I was pleased to see that they had made it to heaven, but confused because they didn't look happy. They looked very angry and hateful.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord say, "Away, I never knew you." I was suddenly frightened that what I was seeing was those who "thought" that they were saved. Then I saw all of them pointing a finger at each of us pastors and together, in one voice that shook my soul, "WE SAT IN YOUR CHURCH AND THOUGHT WE WERE SAVED. WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US WE WERE LOST?"
Tears were pouring down my face and the faces of all of those pastors. I watched as one by one those people were cast into hell. One and then another, and another, and another......., until they were all gone. I died inside as each one screamed in agony and gnashed their teeth, cursing us as they went into the lake of fire.
Then I was looking into the face of Jesus and He said to me, "Is this the part where I'm suppose to say, ' Well done my good and faithful servant?" I woke up with a scream and my heart pounding and I was begging Jesus to forgive me.
I died a million deaths that night. Since that night I have done two things on a daily bases. I do everything I can to preach the law before grace in the hope that conviction of sin will bring a sinner to true salvation. The other thing that I do is pray for every person I have ever preached to asking God to repair any damage I have done. I also never believe anyone when they tell me they are saved. It is my duty to challenge them and search out the solidness of their salvation.
Your ministry and material has been a great blessing to me. I am learning to be more effective and confident as I teach others how to share their faith by using the Law. I have seen several people saved, who thought they were saved, as I have used The Way of The Master material to teach them evangelism.
I do want to hear those words, "Well done my good and faithful servant", and thanks to you and your team I have a better chance of hearing them. Thank you! I just wanted to let you know, some pastors are waking up to the truth. The desire of my heart is to please God. I pray that my days of being a man pleaser are over along with the nightmares. I also pray that God will use me to bring other pastors into the truth of the Gospel message so that they will not have to face the nightmare that I did.
Blessings,
Steve Kreins
First Church of God
Waco, Texas
A terrific book which displays the necessity of the gospel in the life of the church is "The Deliberate Church" by Mark Dever. Good website is www.9marks.org
I would add that the missing balance does not so much come from lack of concern for the lost but lack of obedience to put first things first. And what is first?
Love God, love one another. The declaration of the cross is an act of love for God, for He is worthy of the fame it brings. it is also love for our fellow man.
That said, I think that the biggest failing of the church is not the way it handles evangelism. It is how it handles the command to love one another correctly.
I'm not sure we are such feeding troughs for discipleship. My experience with many churches in many contexts is that the discipleship is itself random and haphazard and the building of true relationship is weak.
In any case, I am filled with hope that gospel preaching and a strong pulpit will lead the way for any flock.
For this reason, I agree with the thrust of the letter: the aim should be the pastors. the shepherds of the people are the ones who must stop and seek the Lord, understand their calling, understand the purpose of the Church.
From what I've seen, in many corners, preaching of the Word is not the center piece of the ministry even of the pulpit! But, I am positive. There are many men who are raising up, and God is at work, here and around the world.
I welcome more comments from others also!
Hi Mike, not sure, are you saying that pastors and elders are the only ones gifted/equipped to teach? I don't agree with that IF that's what you are saying:
Col.3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
This word is for the church, not the elders alone. I DO believe the word is clear that elders are specifically called and equipped to shepherd and preach, but that they are not the only ones with the ability to teach. We are all, as believers in Christ, called to teach one another. This verse refers to the body teaching fellow believers, not evangelizing unbelievers. I actually see this as one of the greatest lacks in the body. We are not fulfilling our role as the priesthood of believers and building one another up. The sheep are not teaching and admonishing one another, in community. We may not be encouraged,in some cases, to do so from the pulpit, as the pastor then is not "in control," of the message/doctrine. But if God is the Head of His Church (not the pastor) then the pastor ought not be threatened by the people exercising their gifts. You said, "I am filled with hope that gospel preaching and a strong pulpit will lead the way for any flock." And someone else similarly said that the pastor sets the course. I agree, we need the course set for us, but then...the people also need to take the pastor's example and apply the gospel with one another. That is the church fufilling her role, which is more than just sitting in the pews and is not only evangelizing, but it is also building one another up.
I Cor. 14:26 What then brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
These things may not all be appropriate, in a large corporate setting, but if there is NO opportunity (which in many churches today, there is not,)then the body is lacking something which God has spoken in his Word, to be for our "building up." Is it any wonder that so many churches are languishing in our country? The pastor preaches the Word, the people sit and hear, but they are not functioning in their role. Only the pastor is, and sadly it seems, some may like it that way. If pastors would grant (more correctly, acknowledge)the authority which God has already given to the church, to operate as the body and to be active rather than passive, and would guide the sheep and provide opportunities, perhaps we the church, may begin to mature as we are called to and be made more ready for the mission. Of course, we the sheep tend to be satisfied with ease and laziness, and not be eager to fulfill our active role, it's easier to be passive. So we need our pastors to spur us on to love one another and to teach and admonish one another, glorifying Christ in the body and then to the world. I don't know you at all, so this is in no way a commentary on you or your pastoring, to be clear to your readers, but the church at large. Thanks for the conversation, sorry so long.
In Christ,
Johanna
Johanna,
first, I thank you for commenting. I must admit my desire to blog has been much diminished by the advent of facebook! but this subject is worth going back to from time to time.
It seems that you have a different axe to grind than I do.
However, the Bible says that we should give honor to our leaders, especially those who work hard a preaching and teaching. Who are these people. The Bible also says that God gives some as pastors and teachers.
I would agree that all Christians are to teach and admonish one another. This should be constant and an ongoing part of community. But that every voice is equal in preaching and teaching in the service? That is a unique interpretation and one I would object to. Sorry if that cramps your style, but the appointment of elders who work hard at preaching and teaching and the attendant authority that goes with it is is the status quo from the time of the first church till now. That many pastors are poor preachers or that they, as you claim, do not give adequate opportunity to others in the body, I have no comment on. such could be true in any given case.
But to reduce the caruxo, the act of declaring, or ministering of the word as set forth by the apostles as a unique effort of apostles and then elders to no different than the sporadic utterance of anyone who wanders into the meeting and "feels led" to teach is a mistake.
God bless and thanks for taking time to think with me.
No axe, if that's the way my tone came across, I do apologize, please forgive me. I responded to your post because I was questioning whether or not you were stating: that the body only evangelizes, they don't teach, only pastors do that.
In my last post I said, "I DO believe the Word is clear that elders are specifically called and equipped to shepherd and preach, but that they are not the only ones with the ability to TEACH." I DO honor the authority of the pastor.
I was not implying that in a large corporate gathering the congregation should be calling out randomly, but rather I was questioning whether the church at large is being intentional in allowing the body to have opportunities to function freely in this way in small groups etc...for the building up of the body and for community. Some are, many are not.
You said, "But that every voice is equal in preaching and teaching in the service? That is a unique interpretation and one I would object to. Sorry if that cramps your style"
No, it doesn't cramp my style in the least because I am in agreement with you. That is not my interpretation as applied to the churches of today. I don't believe that scenario would lead to building up, but chaos. I believe in the authority of the pastor to lead and preach, and submit to it.
The body and it's individuals are however also built up when Col.3:16 and I Cor. 14:26 are applied, I'll stand on this, because God said it. I did not mean to imply that the preaching of the Word by the pastor does not hold a central role in the building up of the body, but that I think we languish because these verses are not applied in some way in many churches today in our country. If we omit them from the blue print, when they were essential form in the early church, it is to our detriment. We cannot teach one another and admonish one another in a large corporate setting effectively. This scripture would apply to one-on-one and small groups (or even small churches.) Pastors can make opportunities for this to happen intentionally. Yes, preaching is central, but the church body also has an active function, which includes teaching one another, so it may grow and be built up and thus better equipped for sharing the gospel.
Is status quo all there is? I think one can live humbly within the status quo, yet still question it respectfully in light of God's word. I hope that I have been respectful. That is surely my aim. And thanks for taking your time to think with me!
Blessings,
Johanna
Hi Johanna,
I think we agree on everything you just said. I also think your tone has been nothing but respectful. If anything, the way I choose my words is often hasty (I always feel like I'm in a hurry these days --perhaps I need time off) so I choose them often without sufficient thought.
What I meant by "cramping your style" and "ax to grind" were really not as heavy as those phrases sound (forgive my poor choice). What I was saying was that I sensed you were trying to express something that I couldn't quite figure out. That was the ax. as if you were speaking to a situation that I wasn't quite getting. That's all. Your last post explains what I believe to be true also. (this is why the best blogging is done in small groups, live, face to face ---with coffee, preferably). :)
as for the status quo comment, what I meant was I interpreted what you were saying to imply that we had somehow lost something that was alive in the first church (and you may have been, and in many ways, we probably have), and what I was saying was as it concerns pastoral leadership as it applies to teaching, the pattern of the Apostles and the first church should be followed.
That said, I agree we should always be re-examining the status quo, and putting it under the light of Scripture, and I applaud that sentiment. Indeed, when scripture corrects our status quo, we should be down right iconoclastic!
be blessed, sister.
mike
Pastor,
Just a request...as I miss your blog. Perhaps (as the Lord leads and time permits) consider blogging about the "emergent church movement" It seems like this seeker-friendly, emergent non-sense is every where these days. Whatever happened to solid Biblical precept upon precept, line upon line teaching? I would love to hear what you think about Rob Bell and the NOOMA videos.
In Christ,
Kikki
AMEN!!
Kikki,
I have given up blogging, mostly. Why? because I wonder if it furthers conversations or just stirs up people. I can't really tell.
As for your interest in my opinion in the Emergent movement, Rob Bell, et al, my guess is we are in agreement. It is the same liberalism that led astray the mainline denominations centuries ago. Once one steps away from the Bible, the fight is lost.
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