Jump Start # 3919
Acts 8:2 “Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.”
THROWBACK THURSDAY: An article out of the past
When A Preacher Dies
In the past few months I have heard of the death of several gospel preachers. I know of a few other preachers that are battling very serious health issues. Preachers die. We all understand that. The Bible teaches that it is “appointed unto man once to die” (Heb 9:27). That includes preachers. Hearing of many preachers passing away in a short period of time has made me thing about “When a preacher dies.”
In some ways the death of a gospel preacher is the same as the death of any Christian. A husband, father, grandfather will be dearly missed by his family. Friends will miss his laughter. The congregation will miss a helping hand. This is true when any Christian dies. Heaven gains but earth loses when a Christian dies.
The death of a preacher has a deeper effect upon the congregation because of the role he filled. In many, many congregations the relationship between the preacher and the congregation is warm, close and very healthy. The preacher has been to the hospital when there has been a sickness. The preacher is the one who married many of the couples in the congregation. He is the one that has baptized so many in the congregation. He is the one who preached the funeral for many family members. He has worked with the elders in trying to develop teachers. He has taught Bible classes nearly every quarter of every year. He is the leading force to challenge and encourage the congregation through his preaching. He has counseled. He has been out many evenings leading people to Christ. Sometimes we don’t realize how many times in our lives the preacher has been there. He is a constant, steady voice every week.
When the preacher dies it affects us.
Consider a few thoughts about ‘When a preacher dies.’
First, help the preacher’s family. As hard as it may be for the congregation not to see the preacher in the pulpit, it will be especially hard for his family. Because of economics, jobs, schools, the family of the preacher often must continue to attend where he preached every week. That will be hard. Some preachers struggle financially. Some have little or no life insurance. The congregation ought to keep that in mind during the stressful time of his death.
Second, be kind to the next preacher. Sooner or later, another preacher will take the place of the one who passed away. The new preacher will be different in style, personality and work ethic than the former preacher. Don’t compare. It is hard enough to fill the shoes of someone who was so loved and then dies. He will do things differently. Give the new preacher a chance. Let him grow on you. Encourage him as he presents the word of God.
Third, be patient in removing the former preacher’s things from the office. Each preacher has his office the way he likes it. There are many personal touches. There are books, file cabinets and all the things that help a preacher to study. The grieving family may not know what to do with all the books, sermons, articles and things. Don’t rush them to get the things out. Help them as they go through the difficult task of cleaning out his office. Encourage them not to throw away sermons, books and articles. Younger preachers could be helped by these things. There is no hurry to “get rid” of those wonderful teaching tools. Let the family have time to think about what they want to do.
There are so many tears when a preacher dies. I hope these thoughts will help those who are experiencing this and will enlighten the rest of us who haven’t put much thought into this.
When a preacher dies…
Roger
February, 2005