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 One Sunday afternoon,
at a “singing,” a carpenter and fellow —Christian asked that it be announced he had decided to be a preacher.
Brethren were a bit surprised, but congratulated him on his desire to teach the truth and save souls.
That
night he wore a dress—suit to worship, in place of his usual sports shirt and jacket. He was asked to lead a prayer,
and we were made to wonder at the “holy” tone of voice he had suddenly acquired. Hmmmmm! I remember asking him
about his plans for the future, and he was rather vague—— something about being “available for appointments.”
Several
weeks later I received a letter from a church in California saying this man had “asked to be considered as their
preacher,” and had given me as a reference. I replied that I thought he was a good man, but that to my knowledge
he had no training or experience in public teaching. They “hired” him anyhow, on another’s recommendation, and
he lasted several months. Back home again, a few churches used him for appointments, and he was now an “Evangelist.”
His stationery said so. I had little enough judgement to offer to help him in some studies and sermon—preparation,
and there is no indication that he has ever forgiven me.
Another
man came to my attention as a rather awkward but personable common laborer, who showed great sincerity when he
tried to make his assigned “short talk” on Wednesday nights. He relied too much on his glib tongue, with not enough
solid Bible preparation. When I made some suggestions
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along
this line he swallowed hard, but thanked me, I noticed he began to use some books that had been placed in the church
library, although reading did not come easy for him. His Bible “talks” improved, and he began to fill in with a
full— grown sermon now and then. Today he preaches regularly for a church, even though he maintains his regular
weekday job. He grins and denies the “charge” when people call him a “preacher” — and continues preaching.
I strongly
recommend college— grade Bible studies, at the feet of well— educated competent men. Research papers, testing,
practice debates, etc. are desirable. Speech work, composi- tion, ancient history, and many other secular studies
can greatly assist one in effectively presenting truth. But I am not saying a “degree” will make a preacher. As
for “professional preachers” — I believe this attitude may be found among the ignorant as well as among the educated.
A preacher
is one who preaches; who proclaims the “good news” and hungrily reaches out for lost souls. The more determined
he is to teach others, the more willing he is to improve native talents and develop new ones. He “trains” for his
work with great dedication — because he is deeply interested in his goal, i.e., truth taught and souls saved. He
is going to preach, with tongue, pen, and example, regardless of “appointment,” or support. And churches seek this
kind of man, not to make him a preacher, but to fellowship and encourage him in
the work he is doing.
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