Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: March 11, 2007
QUESTIONS ABOUT PREACHING & PREACHERS (Part 5)
Ben Justice
10.) Do preachers have authority? Yes, but not the kind of authority that
many in the religious world believes he has. A preacher is not the “overseer” or
“the pastor.” Elders are charged with the responsibility of “overseeing” and
“pastoring” the local church (cf. Acts 20:28; I Pet. 5:1-2; I Thess. 5:12; Heb. 13:
17). Preachers work under the oversight of their elders.
Just what kind of authority do preachers have? God has authorized and
commanded preachers to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). Therefore, he has the
authority to “preach the word.” This entails preaching the whole counsel of God
(Acts 20:27). No eldership has the authority to tell the preacher not to preach on
a certain Biblical subject. No eldership has the right to formulate church
doctrine, including what God has said concerning preaching and preachers. For
example, if marriage, divorce, and remarriage is an issue in the church, in which
adultery exists, then the eldership does not have the authority to tell the
preacher he can’t preach on it. Really, just the converse ought to be true. Good
and godly elders will want, and even demand, the preacher to preach on it!
In Titus 1:5, Paul told Titus, “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest
set in order the things that are wanting, . . .” Titus’ responsibility was to “set in
order the things that are wanting.” In other words, the things that are lacking
and needed. Preachers have the God-given responsibility to address issues,
problems, and needs that exist in the congregation. If he doesn’t, then he is
neglecting to carry out his priorities. Preachers have authority to deal with
them. Granted, many may not like it when preachers specifically address issues
facing the congregation, but preachers still have this responsibility to help the
congregation be what God would have it to be. This passage should be connected
with Titus 2:1 & 15 — “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” (v.
1). In the following verses (v. 3ff), Paul wrote about the effects of sound
doctrine. Sound doctrine will make people what they ought to be before God.
Then, v. 15 states, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.
Let no man despise thee.” Yes, preachers have the authority to preach sound
doctrine, which is preaching the whole counsel of God. He is to let no man
despise his God-given obligation — not even an eldership. It is wrong for a
preacher to refuse to preach the whole truth because his elders have asked him
not to preach on certain subjects. Elderships have no right or authority to do
this to a preacher. And, if they do, then they are not the kind of elders that need
to be in the church anyway.
Again, let me say that preachers are not over elders, but under their oversight.
The authority that elders exert lies within the realm of expediencies and not
doctrine. They don’t have the right to come along and change the doctrine of
God. This has already been settled by Almighty God (2 John 9). A preacher’s
responsibilities have already been settled by God. They are, therefore, a matter
of doctrine. Now, it may be the case that an eldership will ask or request that
the preacher preach on a certain topic because they believe the congregation
needs it. In fact, elders have the authority and responsibility to “feed the flock
of God” (Acts 20:28). A preacher then ought to follow the oversight of his elders.
However, this is far different than an eldership telling a preacher how to do his
job and asking or telling him not to preach on certain subjects.
Throughout this series of articles, we have addressed many questions pertaining
to preaching and preachers. Although many questions have been dealt with, it
certainly does not exhaust everything. As a gospel preacher, it is my goal and
aim to fulfill my responsibilities and obligations as the Bible directs me the best
I can, realizing that there is always room for improvement. The apostle Paul
understood the extreme importance of his role as a gospel preacher, for he said
in I Cor. 9:16, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”