Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: February 25, 2007
QUESTIONS ABOUT PREACHING AND PREACHERS (Part 3)
Ben Justice
6.) How much visiting is required of a preacher? The NT does not give a
specific number. However, the NT certainly teaches that visiting is to be done
(cf. James 1:27). But, a preacher does not visit because he is the preacher, but
because he is a Christian. In fact, all Christians have an obligation to visit. It
is often been said of misinformed members that preachers are hired to visit, and
some have even suggested that the preacher is hired so as to relieve them of all
visiting. This is a perversion. And, sad at that! Jesus clearly taught that all
have the responsibility of visiting (Matt. 25:34-46).
The preacher’s job is clearly given in the NT. His main responsibility is to
“preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). Of course, a preacher can’t preach what is doesn’t
know. Therefore, it is imperative for preachers to spend most of their time in
study. Too many preachers run all over town doing this and that. As a result,
their sermons are weak and shallow and the congregation suffers from spiritual
malnourishment. Real Bible study takes a lot of time. Some members of the
church have the idea that a preacher can get together his lessons in just a
couple of hours on Saturday evening. Some members say in reference to
preachers, “He has an easy job.” Many have no idea just how much time is put
into study. In the midst of all that, he must take time out for his family. A
preacher must not spend so much time studying that he neglects his family.
This has been the downfall of many preachers. He also must take some time out
for himself to recuperate and be refreshed. Even preachers can “burn-out.” They
need a break from time to time. It is really hard at times to fit visitation in.
But, it does have to be done out of love and care for people, and it is done, not
because he is the preacher, but because he is a Christian.
7.) Should preachers be paid and how much? To the Corinthians, Paul wrote
in I Cor. 9:7-11, “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a
vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of
the milk of the flock? (8) Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same
also? (9) For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the
ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? (10) Or saith he it
altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, that is written: that he that ploweth
should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his
hope. (11) If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall
reap your carnal things?”
It is obvious from the above passages that Paul was speaking of a worker’s rights
to be supported. In v. 7, Paul asked three rhetorical questions:
1.) Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? The answer is “none.”
2.) Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? The answer is
“none.”
3.) Who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk thereof? The answer again is
“none.”
In other words, no solider serves without pay; no farmer grows a crop without
eating of it, and a shepherd does not tend his flock without partaking of the
product of the flock. Jesus said “the laborer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7).
According to v. 9, even the Law of Moses taught that workers were worthy of
compensation (Deut. 25:4). Incidentally, Paul used this same Scripture in I Tim.
5:18 and applied it to the right of elders to receive support. The principle set
forth in v. 9 was not intended for oxen, but for man. This was the point made in
v. 10.
In v. 11, Paul drives home the point. Paul had sown unto them “spiritual things,”
that is, he had preached the gospel. He had sown the spiritual seed — the word
of God (cf. Luke 8:11). This enabled them to reap the spiritual rewards. Then,
Paul asked, “is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?” “Carnal”
means, “earthly” or “material” things. This obviously refers to the support Paul
had the right to receive.
What Paul taught did not originate with man, but with God. It is God’s will that
preachers of the gospel be supported materially — that is financially. The money
that is placed into the collection plate is the Lord’s money. Therefore, when
compensation is rendered unto the preacher it is God paying the preacher — not
men. This is a point that many members of the church fail to realize and
understanding — feeling that they own the preacher.
Verse 14 states, “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel
should live of the gospel.” Notice that the Lord “ordained it” — not man!
In 2 Cor. 11:8-9, Paul wrote, “I robbed (in the sense of taking from) other churches,
taking wages of them that I might minister unto you; and when I was present with you,
and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren
which came from Macedonia supplied: . . .”
A preacher certainly has the right to refuse pay and many have. And, any
preacher who preaches only when he is paid is a hireling. However, it is still
God’s ideal that preachers and their families be financially supported.
Congregations should be striving to this end.
It is sad when some congregations believe that preaches should barely scrimp
by. Concerning how much a preacher should be paid, ministers have as much
right to wages commensurate with their abilities as anyone else. Just how much
a minister receives by way of pay is a matter of judgment reserved for each
eldership, but it is sad when some ministers have to live at the poverty level
because the brethren are so stingy. It is sad when some preachers and their
families have to suffer financially when they render the greatest service in the
world. Brethren need to realize that it is God who pays — not them. Also,
ministers have every right to receive raises every so often, just as those who
work in the secular work force do. Elderships ought to be considerate of the
preacher’s needs, the rate of inflation, the cost of living in the area, his
retirement, and many other things.
8.) How long should a preacher stay with a congregation? It is really
amazing to me how the majority of preachers in the church move from
congregation to congregation to congregation. It seems like when a preacher gets
settled in he has to move. There are certainly many legitimate reasons why
preachers must move. However, it is a real shame that many members of the
church hold to the philosophy that preachers should never be with one
congregation for more than just a few years. Many fail to realize that it often
takes a few years to really get to know every one in the congregation, the people
in the community, and the needs of the congregation. Preachers should stay
with a congregation as long as possible and as long as conditions permit. Those
congregations that have a preacher to work with them for 20, 30, or 40 years are
blessed indeed. When preachers are being exchanged every 2 or 3 years, it
upsets and stunts the congregation’s growth and vitality. I worry about a
congregation that is always hiring and firing preachers every 2 or 3 years. Long-
term relationships are the best. It is a great thing to have a preacher work with
a congregation for many, many years and be able to retire there.
An eldership ought to hire a preacher with the intention of the preacher working
with the congregation until retirement. This should be the goal of every
congregation. When an eldership approaches it like this, they will therefore take
the time to thoroughly examine and question those preachers who “try-out.” I
never have liked the “one try-out” deal and you’re hired. Elderships, before
hiring a preacher, should have a personal and intimate interview with those
whom they try-out. Detailed and specific questions ought to be asked. The
prospective preacher ought to be thoroughly drilled. Elderships need to know
how seriously the preacher takes his responsibilities. Elderships need to do
these things, because we are talking about things that will matter come
judgment and for eternity. There are some who are simply not worth their salt
and who ought not to be preaching period! It can be near impossible to learn
this through a one try-out deal.
Also, when preachers decide or have to leave a congregation, they ought to try
and leave with grace and dignity. Granted, this is not always possible. However,
it should be sought after. [more next week]