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Earning the Right to Preach???

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Jun 21, 2014.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    The other day I was in a discussion with someone who believes you must earn the respect of the congergation before you start preaching.
    Specifically, if you are going to preach - especially a fire & brimstone message, you must have earned the respect - based on the standards of the congergation.


    On one hand, I dont think being a jerk is going to encourage the members to listen to you - but on the other hand
    My thinking is that you simply preach the Word of God - and the chips will fall where they may.

    Am I missing something here?
     
  2. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Paul did not tell young Timothy to earn the right and respect. In fact he told him not to be intimidated by the older men. He was to preach the word. He was to do it when it was convenient and when it was not.

    The person you spoke to was just being weird and self centered.
     
  3. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    The calling comes from God. No other approval to preach EVERYTHING in His word is needed.
     
  4. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    Paul strengthened Timothy when he told him to not let them despise his youth. So, even back then, younger preachers/pastors had struggles with some in their churches.

    A Brother who use to be our car insurance provider is a preacher. When he was young he learned to preach with his eyes closed. Why? Some older ladies would start knitting when he got up to preach, thinking he was too young to be in the ministry.

    So I guess there's no clear cut, "cookie cutter" answer to give you, Brother Salty than to preach the word....
     
  5. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Is the question about the act of preaching from the pulpit, or pastoring?

    If it is pastoring, the qualifications are listed in I Timothy 3.

    If it is preaching, I do not think that the right is earned. I think that it is a responsibility given.
     
  6. prophet

    prophet Active Member
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    it is not a calling. it is a command.
     
  7. prophet

    prophet Active Member
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    The Word "pastor" isn't found in 1st or 2nd Timothy, or Titus.
    Timothy was one of many Elders in the Church at Ephesus....which was commended by God for not preferring any single Elder above another...1Tim.5, Rev.2
     
  8. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    HTML:
    
    
    Potato pota'to
     
  9. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    I Timothy 3: 1-7 . "Bishop".
     
  10. prophet

    prophet Active Member
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    Right on. Bishop is an office, pastor is a gift.
     
  11. Rolfe

    Rolfe Well-Known Member
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    Semantics.
     
  12. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    Every born anew believer has the right and responsibility to make disciples, teaching them all Christ has commanded. Now in Acts we see that those in the body of Christ had a good reputation within their community, which helped in making them effective evangelists, because folks were being added day by day. On the other hand, Paul had to choose his spots, because his reputation precluded effective ministry with some.
     
  13. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Sounds like he's just saying one must be beyond reproach.
     
  14. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    When beginning my ministry I received this kind of treatment, and advice, from some older brethren. I understand the need to protect the pulpit a flock, especially from a younger ministry hopeful who might not be as accustomed to preaching and its requirements.

    It was challenging for me to serve somewhere without seeing the resolution to my calling occurring as I had expected. However, I faithfully served while completing my training. Then I got ordained and continued to serve for another couple of months.

    Then it became apparent that my waiting and serving faithfully were only delaying my calling. My feedback from the several times I was able to preach was overwhelmingly positive and my calling was reinforced. So, I also recognized that with several senior staff members growing older that younger staff members we perceived as threats to their leadership and ability. It was painful, but I continued to serve faithfully and uphold the leadership placed overtop of me.

    Then, through my prayer life, I had my calling to be a senior leader confirmed and new it was time to leave. After a brief search and some time with my mentor, I found another position as the pastor of a church. I then began to pastor that church, which was away from my previous church. I left, affirming the leadership, and continued my calling where God had led. That's what worked for me.

    Some folks do believe one must earn their bones, so to speak, and that can be a high calling. Higher with some than others.
     
  15. prophet

    prophet Active Member
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    No, it is not semantics.
    If church leadership were either a gift or a calling, it would be an irrevocable position. Rom. 11:29

    Pastors and teachers are gifts, and not positions.

    "Bishop" is a position, desired by men, appointed by men, and revocable.
     
  16. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    There is indeed an Elder granted the chief responsibility of spiritual leadership in a local assemblt, he is called the pastor!
     
  17. prophet

    prophet Active Member
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    In your mind, but missing from Scripture, sure.
     
  18. prophet

    prophet Active Member
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    Ephesus:

    Act 20:17
    17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

    Act 20:28
    28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

    So, after Paul said this to the presbytery at Ephesus, he sent Timothy to remove their oversight? And himself be their chief overseer?

    Then why did he tell Timothy this?

    1Ti 5:19-21
    19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
    20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
    21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

    Ensuring that no one single Elder was preferred before another?

    Parroting talking points from the Nicolaitans before us isn't equal to contending for the faith.
     
  19. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Interesting discussion, but - lack of age or spiritual maturity had nothing to do with the discussion ( as mentioned in the OP)
     
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