Articles
A PREACHER’S COMMITMENT
I wanted to start this article with a word of thanks. Thank you for making us feel at home with the warm welcome, the delicious food, and the many words of encouragement. When Karli and I made the decision to go to preaching school, it was our hope and prayer that we would not only find a work in which we could be effective, but that would be a blessing to us, as well. We are thankful to God that we have found that place. We are excited to be in Monticello with you all.
What should a congregation expect from their preacher?
1) The preaching must be biblical (1 Peter 4:11) - The Greek word most often translated “preach” has the idea of a herald speaking on behalf of a king. The herald’s words only have authority if they are the words of the king; therefore, a preacher’s words only have authority if they come from the words of the King—the Bible.
2) The preaching must be practiced (Hebrews 2:1-3) - One of my instructors often said, “To be a good preacher, one must first be a good man.” A preacher must “practice what he preaches,” because he is a Christian first—like everyone in the church.
3) The preaching must be balanced and avoid extremes (Philippians 4:5) - A preacher can always speak the truthful things yet still be a false teacher if he avoids the difficult sermons and does not preach the WHOLE truth. A preacher can also be ineffective if he constantly chastises a congregation. The spiritual man grows, like the physical man, with a balanced diet.
4) The preacher always prays (Luke 18:1) - The Christian’s most powerful tool is often the most underutilized tool—prayer. A man that speaks FOR God must also be active in speaking TO God.
5) The preacher must never quit studying (1 Timothy 4:11-15) - One preacher compared understanding the Bible completely to trying to drain the ocean with a tea cup. The Word of God will long outlast the preacher.
6) The preacher must have an interest in souls (John 4:35) - The preacher must see souls of others as Christ saw the souls of others—as precious. The message of God has the souls of man as its utmost priority—the one that preaches that message must have the same concern for those souls.
7) The preacher must be humble (James 4:7-10) - A preacher needs to be able to step back in order for the message of God to be showcased. The preacher’s oratory skills, vocabulary, and knowledge are important—not to garner recognition, but to effectively communicate the message of God.
8) The preacher must remember his family (Psalm 127:1-3) - A preacher is obligated to his family—both physical and spiritual. He must find the balance between both, and neglect neither. He is to help strengthen the church and save the lost, but not at the expense of his family.
9) The preacher must remained focused on the goal and be positive (Philippians 3:13-14) - Dabo Swinney said, “To be an overachiever you have to be an over-believer.” A negative preacher short-changes the capability of God. When God is our partner—PLAN BIG!
10) The preacher must remember that he is a Christian first (1 Timothy 1:18-19) - One can get to Heaven without being a preacher, but one cannot get to Heaven without being a Christian. The preacher serves alongside the congregation, as a Christian first and preacher second.
- Josh Walker
Note: The list is from an unknown source and most Scripture references contributed by Allen Webster.
