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 Many
churches now use a portion of the Wednesday night time as a
training session for men of the congregation. Young men, and
older ones who have been inactive, are asked to prepare and
present Bible talks. A few members may object because they don’t
like the “program”, but the idea is in keeping with
scriptural purpose — to encourage spiritual growth. It’s
success will be measured by the serious thought and effort we
put into it.
Young
men are idealists, who see black and white. We should not fault
them for that. Be thankful for a new generation, not yet
disillusioned, with courage to reach for the stars. It is the
striving for perfection, in keeping with our perfect example,
that shapes the Christian life. If we can teach these beginners
to study Bible ideals, and exhort us to follow, much good will
be accomplished.
But
the beginner often acts like older preachers who have not
studied or developed. He strives for sensational effects; he
thinks the pulpit gives license to bull-whip the pew; his pet
peeve (Christmas, Easter, or saying “Golly!”) becomes the
cardinal issue of all times. I have heard early teenagers “advise”
the elders.
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Where
did these beginners get such a concept of “preaching”? Some
of it is bluster — to cover embarrassment and the fact that
they have nothing prepared to say. And, we should not forget the
weight of the examples set before them by older
preachers. If we had done our job well — impressing them with
our fairness, our concrete knowledge of scriptures, our humility
in “hiding behind the cross” — it is reasonable to think
they would try to follow such examples.
Audience
response often encourages the wrong things. One boy, with “gift
of gab,” may spiel off a lot of nothing, and be highly
complemented. Another, well prepared with scriptural study, may
be slow of speech — and is passed with a pat on the shoulder
and “You’ll do better some day!” Both should be
encouraged and given judicious counsel for improvement.
If
the church is to grow spiritually, and fulfill her divine
purpose, we must take seriously our work in the training of
future teachers. The pulpit is not a glamour spot where “stars”
play their role. It is a platform, elevated for the advantage
of the hearers — so they can better follow sound
teaching and learn of God.
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