PREACHERS - Silent

"The cow grazes in many fields, but the milk she gives is her own." Just so preachers need to focus on the Bible, but in doing this it is helpful to hear what others have said. "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat its errors." But the Judgment focuses on our relationship to others (Matt. 25:31-46). These articles from the Word & Work are helpful for the preacher to understand the mission which Christ gives to his church. We cannot avoid psychology as we attempt to live out our lives. R.D.Ice

Note to Writers. From The Book of Andre Norton, by Roger Elwood.
"History, by the way, is not weapons [technology] (which are again a form of machines) but human beings - the fact that some ruler was ill on a certain day and so made a decision he might not have done otherwise - the fact that some pesonal animosity moved action can be seen over and over again. Until we read it from the viewpoint of the people, who were worked upon by the strains and stresses of their times which again may be alien to our present thinking, we do not read real history. I wish the students in school would study diaries and the volumes of contemporary letters of fhe period fhey are seeking to study rather than read the texts (which cannot help but be influenced by the personal tastes of their writers). From such sources they would learn what moved these people three, four, five hundred years ago to behave as they did. One volume of Pepys' diary can give one a vivid impression of Restoration England of far more value to the student than any list of dates and decisions of Parliament of that period."
"No writer writes out of his having found the answer to the problem; he writes rather out of his having fhe problem but wanting a solution. The solution consists not of a resolution. It consists of the deeper and wider dimensions of conscience to which the writer is carried by virtue of his wrestling with the problem. We create out of a problem; the writer and the artist are not presenting answers but creating as an experience of something in themselves trying to work - 'to seek, to find and not to yield.' The contribution which is given to the world by the painting or the book is the process of the search." (Love and Will, Rollo May, pp. 170-171)



Let Preachers Without Authority Remain Silent [adapted from an article by Larry Paul Jones]

[Romans 10:14-15] "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" Isaiah 52:7

The ministry of Jesus Christ belongs to all of the baptized. God calls some of the baptized to specific ministries within that general ministry. Whatever name or title we give them, they come from the baptized and remain part of and accountable to the baptized.

Although fallible and human, the preacher has a position of leadership. Preachers have authority because God has called them into ministry and a congregation has called them to a specific position of leadership. Whether or not they use it, preachers have authority.

The authority of the preacher reflects and emerges from the historic role of preaching and the every-day function of preaching. On special occasions or when the "preacher" leaves town, other members of the congregation may preach and do a fine job. They, too, speak with authority. They may even speak with greater authority than the preacher. They will not, however, return next Sunday to preach again. The preacher has the responsibility and privilege of proclaiming the Gospel on a regular and continuing basis.

Preachers have authority because of their involvement in the lives of the members. They have authority because they have been present with the members in times of crisis and celebration, hope and desperation, inertia and transition. Preachers come to the pulpit from funerals and weddings, from family celebrations and private tribulations, from dairy barns and office suites, from wherever members have invited them or they have dared to tread in their ministry.

Preachers have authority when and as they allow God to lay claim to them during their preparation for and participation in the preaching event. Every Sunday has significance because when the church gathers individuals and groups need a word from God. The sermon can help meet that need. The preacher speaks out of his own hunger and need - confessing his inadequacy and his dependence on God. Preachers have something to say but realize they speak on behalf of Another. Preachers submit their dreams and plans for preaching to God. They take time to set priorities for the church and their ministries, to pray about the needs and wants of the church, and to seek and follow the guidance and direction from God.

The preacher preaches because God sees our sinfulness and calls us to confession, repentance, and forgiveness. The preacher preaches because God hears the moans of the forgotten, abandoned, abused and afflicted, and summons people of faith to respond; because God wills wholeness and reconciliation; because God has something to say and we need to respond. Our very lives depend upon it!

Preachers have authority because they believe and claim there is something of life-changing importance at stake in the sermon event. It lies outside the realm of possibility for the preacher to proclaim that word from God, the Gospel, without authority.
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" [1 Timothy 4:12].
"If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed." [1 Timothy 4:6].
"And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men [anthropos - men and women] who will be able to teach others also." [2 Timothy 2:2]
(adapted from WORD & WORK, April 1998


How Much Is That Preacher?
Jean Shaw, adapted

Good morning, madam. May I help you?

Yes, please, I'd like to buy a minister.

For yourself or your church?

Oh, for my church, of course. I'm already married.

Uh, yes. Did you have a particular model in mind?

I've got a description from the Candidate Committee right here. We want a man about 30, well educated, with some experience. Good preacher and teacher. Balanced personality . . Serious, but with a sense of humor. Efficient, but not too rigid. Good health. Able to identify with all age groups. And, if possible, sings tenor.

Sings tenor?

We're short of tenors in the Choir.

I see. Well, that's quite a list. How much do you want to spend?

The committee says $19,000 - $19,500 tops.

Hmmm. Well, perhaps we'd better start in the bargain department.

Tell me, how much is that model in the window?

You mean the one in the Pendleton plaid suit and the grey suede dune boots?

Yes, that one. He's a real dream.

That's our Princeton #467. He has a Ph.D. and AKC papers.

AKC?

American Koinonia Council. He sells for $43,000 plus house.

Wow! That's too rich for our blood. What about that model over there?

Ah, yes. An exceptional buy. Faith #502. He's a little older than 30, but has excellent experience. Aggressive. Good heart. Has a backing of sermons, two of which have been printed in Christian Leaders.

He's not too bad. Can you do something about his bald head? Mrs. Penner especially insists that our minister have some hair.

Madam, our ministers come in a variety of hair styles.

I'll keep him in mind.

Now let me show you Olympia #222. Four years of varsity sports at Brass Ring College. Plays football, basketball, volleyball, and ping-pong. Comes complete with sports equipment.

What a physique! He must weigh 200 lbs!

Yes, indeed. You get a lot for your money with this one. And think what he can do for your young people.

Great. But how is he at preaching?

I must admit he's not St. Peter. But you can't expect good sermons and a church-wide athletic program, too!

I suppose not. Still . . . .

Let me show you our Fresno #801. Now here's a preacher. All his sermons are superb - well researched, copious anecdotes, and they always have three points. And - he comes with a full set of the Religious Encyclopedia at no extra charge! You get the whole package for $24,900.

He's wearing awfully thick glasses.

For $220 more we put in contact lenses.

I don't know. He might study too much. We don't want a man who's in the office all the time.

Of course. How about this minister over here? Comes from a management background. Trained in business operations at Beatitude College. Adept with committees. Gets his work done by 11:30 every morning.

His tag says he's an IBM 400.

Madam, you have a discerning eye. Innovative Biblical Methods. This man will positively revitalize your church.

I'm not sure our church wants to be revitalized. Haven't you got something less revolutionary?

Well, would you like someone of the social worker type? We have this Ghetto #130.

The man with the beard? Good gracious, no . . Mrs. Penner would never go for that.

How about our Empathy #41C? His forte is counseling. Very sympathetic. Patient. Good with people with problems.

Everyone in our church has problems. But he might not get out and visit new people. We really need a man who does a lot of visitation. You see, our people are very busy and . . .

Yes, yes. I understand. You want a minister who can do everything well.

That's it! Haven't you got somebody like that?

I'm thinking. In our back room we have a minister who was traded in last week. Excellent man, but he broke down after three years. If you don't mind a used model, we can sell him at a reduced price.

Well, we had hoped for someone brand-new. We just redecorated the sanctuary, and we wanted a new minister to go with it.

Of course. But with a little exterior work, and a fresh suit, this man will look like he just came out of the box. No one will ever know. Let me bring him out and you can look him over.

All right. Honestly, this minister shopping is exhausting. It's so hard to get your money's worth. Tell me, do you also give guarantees with the contract?

Uh, no. But if there's any dissatisfaction after six months, we send in a new congregation for the balance of the year. That usually takes care of most problems.




LOWS & HIGHS IN A PREACHER'S LIFE
VIA WORD & WORK, April 98
Alex V. Wilson

A. Found in a filing cabinet.
My dad died. He had drawer after drawer, folder after folder of letters, sermon notes, pictures and other memorabilia covering decades of his multifaceted life.

1) How seriously did they take me???
He wrote: "One morning recently the question came to me, 'Do these people of this congregation take me seriously?'"
"I wondered. They came to hear me preach, they call me for counseling, for weddings and funerals. They fill up weeks with obligations. But do they really take me seriously! They tell me my sermons are 'nice,' 'good,' 'enjoyable,' and they tell me, 'You are doing a good job - we are glad to have you for out minister.' But are they taking me seriously?"
"Many times I doubt that they are. Their church duties are often fragmentary. Ideas that are Christ centered and should shake their very lives seem to get no response. One can plead, or one can shout, one can smile, or one can frown, yet the stolidness seems unbroken. I hear the echo of the words, 'We piped unto you and you would not dance; we mourned and you would not weep.'"

2) The rich rewards in Serving Christ.
This is condensed out of a letter from one who came to Christ out of a dysfunctional family.
Dear Brother Wilson,
I'm writing to tell you how very much I've appreciated all of the things you have done for me and my family through the years. I'm very thankful to God for allowing you and your wonderful wife to come into our lives. He has used you both to save our family. I mean that literally, not only to introduce us to salvation, but what might have happened if you hadn't taken the time to counsel with me in 1959.
I know that many times things have been very rough on you when you were called for help, nevertheless, you always have come and done everything humanly possible to help. You've played a part in every crisis in our family since 1959. . . I could name by incident the many hard times in my family but I won't. Instead, I just want to thank you again for being there and not giving up hope on all of us. You are truly a wonderful servant for God and I will always be grateful that you came into our lives.
[My husband] and I really appreciate your fervent prayers for us and our family even while we are away from home. . .
Much love and praise to God, XXXXX

3) Frustration and Fulfillment. via Christianity Today, 4-7-97.
The complexity of "pastoral care" is certainly one factor in why "pastors" today feel overloaded. Many people finding their way to the church today come out of broken homes, sexual and physical abuse situations, and addictions. The good news is that they come to church. The bad news is that the church - and its leaders - is often ill-equipped to provide care for such raw needs.
Conflict (especially internecine) also contributes to burnout.
What complicates matters is that while the "preacher" commands less respect, the people whom "preachers" are trying to serve are demanding more and more from the church. That places more demands on its leaders. . .
In addition, the explosive growth in media in recent years has only compounded expectations of both "members" and "preachers." Members of the church are able to compare their preacher with the best radio and TV preachers throughout the country. And the preacher compares himself with them as well. Often unfavorably.

4) Too many roles!!! "Lord, we've got a problem. I thought you called me into ministry to reach the hurting, to care for the spiritual and physical needs of the people You would lead my way. You never mentioned budgets, committees, carpets, or banquets. Lord, I spend more time making decisions about who gets the van, who should repair the boiler, and where we should buy Sunday school literature than I do preparing my sermon. I thought my gift was exhortation. Why are You asking me to do administration?"