Jump Start # 3819
Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?”
Our verse today is showing the connection from the word of God to faith in the heart. The avenue in which this takes place is through the preaching of God’s word. Is that the only possible way? No. One can read the Bible on his own and become a N.T. Christian. Our story about Jimi, the death row prisoner who was executed nearly two years ago is a profound illustration of that. Jimi became a Christian by reading and doing what the Bible says. If you have not read the Jimi story, you can request a booklet by emailing me your mailing address (Rogshouse@aol.com).
Our verse today ends with the expression, “without a preacher?” And, that’s exactly the state of so many congregations today. Big churches, little churches. City churches and country churches. Never in all the years of my preaching have I known of so many congregations that are looking for a preacher. And, what many are realizing is that the pool of preachers is small these days. There are many factors for that. After covid, some quit. Busy congregations often have two preachers, as we do. That pulls from the availability. And, fewer young men are getting into preaching. All of this is causing congregations to panic, get desperate and sometimes settle on someone who is not all in with the work that he is to do.
So, that’s the elephant in the room. We need more preachers. Now, how do we address this? Here are a few thoughts:
First, starting at home and filtering through the congregation, we need to make preaching a noble and attractive work. If all we hear are complaints, then no young man will ever want to engage in that kind of work. Train our young men to give lessons. Work with them. Encourage them. Do not expect of them what an experienced preacher knows or can do. Be patient.
Young Timothy was already well spoken of by the brethren before Paul arrived on the scene. Timothy was busy in the kingdom. Give young men opportunities to teach. Guide them and help them. We need to build their faith and set before them examples of righteous men who serve in the kingdom. If all our young people see of the men of the congregation are lazy do-nothings, then why should they set up?
Second, we need to consider how we are taking care of our preachers. The days of just giving them a monthly check are past. We need to open the door of benefits, including insurance and retirement. We need to think about how much we are expecting of them and how hard we are working them. Some just get worn out. Some get so discouraged. When someone says, “You only work one day a week,” that brother ought to be brought before the eldership, rebuked and then given the preacher’s task for the next month to do. Shame on us for even teasing such things. We need to be thankful for our dedicated and hard working preachers.
Third, leaders need to recognize the season that we are in. There are fewer preachers and more churches needing preachers. Maybe adjustments must be made. Maybe the shepherds need to do more preaching. Maybe instead of the “our preacher” concept, a preacher will work with two or more congregations. Several things may have to be ironed out for that to happen. This will require more members stepping up which can be a very positive thing. And, as hard as it is for some to swallow, some congregations may need to merge with another congregation. This would provide more resources, finances and opportunities. We don’t like thinking those thoughts, but let us be more kingdom minded and not so much congregational minded. Keeping the doors open for a handful of people when there is a larger congregation in driving distance is hard to justify. Heating, cooling, and other costs drain the resources of a small congregation. Yet, they want a man to come preach for them, find his own salary and work with them. Using that same thinking, wouldn’t fly at all in the business community. Can you imagine a small, struggling company asking you to come work for them and expecting you to find your own income somewhere else? Why?
I have spent my life preaching. It has been an honor. There have been so many wonderful opportunities. Sure there has been so horror stories. My dearest friends are preachers.
Will the kingdom survive without preachers? Did it survive without apostles? Yes. Did it survive when the Lord went back to Heaven? Yes. God’s word is powerful and still works. Things may look a bit different than what we are used to and maybe it just needs to. The kingdom will be fine. That’s faith.
Roger