Who Is The Preacher?

I recently heard a lesson on the subject of what the Bible has to say about preachers. After defining preaching as proclaiming a message and suggesting such would include Hitler the speaker went on to say that in Scripture there is no example of a paid located minister/preacher. He couldn’t remember the location of the passage but alluded to Ephesians 4:11 as a listing of those who speak for the church. That is, “It was he (Christ) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers.” This sermon was given to a small church that was looking for a minister. To the speaker’s credit he wanted to communicate that preachers are not hired guns to do all the dirty work for the church. All proclaim Christ, all minister to the body, all reach out to the hurting, deprived or bereaved… the church is a body that works in unison. However, the lesson was arduous fare for a preacher sitting in the audience… and I wanted ever so much to say but… but… but… what about? So dear reader brace yourself because you get to hear “the what about.”

Of first importance the one we call the preacher, the minister, the evangelist, the pastor and an occasional “Hey, you” is a human. That means he is like you, ever in prayer asking God to forgive, to transform, to enlighten and to Spirit fill his life. He assumes this humble station not as excuse or to ward off accountability but because he longs to hear the still small whisper of God, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).” It is in this cross shaped weakness that the one who desires to be nothing less than God’s man attempts to be the following: 1)A student of the Word so he may share the feast he has discovered; 2)A servant of all; 3)A reflective light of the warmth of Christ that desires to spark the love and joy of Christ in the hearts of all; 4)A counselor who is accessible who listens more than they speak; 5)A bringer of glad tidings and thus, joyously infectious; and last of all obedient to the perfect law of love that compels heart and hand to work tirelessly for the Lord.

Now I said all of that to say this, “The preacher is just one of the guys.” He’s not on a pedestal nor is he to be a footstool. He’s devoted to Christ and His body and feels a calling from God to share the good news. He laughs, he cries, he’s Tom Joad from the Grapes of Wrath on the run from sin but called to be the voice of justice in a world heavy with the fruit of the grapes of wrath. He’s James Bond fighting against sin but perceived as Barney Fife with one bullet in his pocket. He stumbles but he gets back up only to finish the day on his knees in thanksgiving and humble petition. -DAN