Can eldership censor preaching?

Question: Hello, I understand elders make decisions to run the day-to-day operations of the congregation. If they cannot show a scriptural reason for not allowing a male member to preach, can they prohibit him from preaching? While it can always be said, “Not enough knowledge,” how does that not become a way of “censoring” certain…

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Marshall Keeble

by Hugh Fulford Marshall Keeble (1878-1968) Marshall Keeble was a famous African-American evangelist among churches of Christ who began preaching in 1897 and spent the entirety of his life in evangelistic meetings all across America. He preached in most of the major cities of the U. S. –north, south, east, and west — as well…

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Advice to Younger Preachers

by Perry Hall It is OK to disagree with older preachers. Zeal is commendable, and the young possess it in abundance. Here are five ways to be successful: Know the Scriptures: The more specific the use of scripture, the better. The context of the scripture and the conversation must match. Too many drawn-out conclusions are…

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This one really hit home

Question: Thank you. “Thankful for the No-Names” really hit home for me. Most of my preaching years were spent in smaller churches, just as you described. There are many who serve in such a capacity. More that we know. Thank you. I appreciate your articles. Answer: You’re welcome. Like you, I’ve spent all my life…

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Thankful for the No-Names

by Kyle Ellison I am thankful for the no-names. In many preacher circles some may be well known, who may have a name, who keep the calendar full with speaking engagements, who do great work among the brethren! This is not to take away from the great work brethren do, whether big or small, But…

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Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

by Zeke Flores I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I get that. As a preacher, my delivery is far from “polished,” and I often speak from the heart. God willing, it’ll be a heart full of His word, but it’s from the heart nonetheless. I love preaching, which motivates me to be a little…

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Competitive Ministry

by Chadwick Brewer The fact of the matter is that Christians struggle not to be competitive in their righteousness. There is also a strange competitiveness between preachers and members concerning which preacher they have. This is not at all new. Paul tells the Philippians to do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3)…

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Advice to Beginners

by Leslie Diestelkamp via Think on These Things, V. 55, N. 3, July-September 2024 This is not intended to be an arbitrary directive to young preachers but is based on four-and-one-half decades of experience; close observation of gospel work and workers for all these years; and scriptural principles. It is hoped that these brief words will…

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Paul’s Letters to Preachers

by Keith Sharp In denominational commentaries, the apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus are grouped together as “The Pastoral Epistles.” The term “pastor” is found only once in the New Testament, in Ephesians 4:11 (KJV, NKJV, ASV, NASV). The word is translated as “shepherds” in the ESV. It is the noun form of the…

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Preaching to Be Paid or Being Paid So You Can Preach?

by Perry Hall Men should not preach to get paid; men should be paid so they can preach. There is a fundamental difference in that statement: If someone preaches to get paid, the emphasis is on the preacher wanting to receive money from the congregation for the time that he preached. If someone is paid…

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Why aren’t the elders helping me to learn to preach?

Question: I hope this email finds you doing well. I have a question. I finally got to preach and teach for a month in another congregation. I asked the elders in my church to attend one day and give me pointers. One finally attended, but all the elders said that they should or would not…

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Are Preachers Ministers?

by Terry Wane Benton Yes! They are not the only ministers in the church, but they minister in a certain way; they serve in teaching and edifying the church’s role. They minister the gospel to the lost and the saved. That is a certain way of ministering, but the average church member is a minister…

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The Work of Preaching

by Doy Moyer Over time, a typical preacher will have preached hundreds of times (thousands once you figure in decades). He will have taught even more classes, again into the thousands. Don’t judge a preacher or teacher by one or two sermons or lessons. There is no way to cover the full ground of a…

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Study to Show Yourself Approved

by Hugh Fulford “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15 KJV). The preceding verse as cited from the King James Version of the Bible has been what I sometimes refer to as an “anchor text” among those committed…

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When Jeremiah Wanted to Quit Preaching

by Terry Wane Benton It wasn’t just mental fatigue and having to deal with obnoxious attitudes, but having to constantly deal with brethren undermining him and working against him, some even looking for ways to get rid of him for good! It got to where he dreaded preaching the needed message of repentance. It was…

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Why did Paul limit his right to marriage to a believing wife?

Question: While studying the scripture with this guide on your website: Paul’s Restraint in Exercising His Liberty, I found this question: Why do you suppose Paul qualified his right to only a sister in Christ and not claim a more general right to marry? It’s a question I have asked too, and I would like to…

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Advice for Those Looking to Preach

by Scott Smelser Six random points, in no particular order: A powerful message from a stern and elderly Tom Butler (addressing myself and several college-aged guys many years ago): “You young guys. You come and tell me you want to preach. No, you don’t. You don’t want to preach. What you want are a pulpit…

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The Preacher’s Work

by Andy Sochor When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, one of the matters he addressed was the support of preachers (I Corinthians 9:3-14). He explained that although he did not take wages from them (I Corinthians 9:15; cf. II Corinthians 11:8), he had a right to receive such support. To show that a…

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Pride and Preachers

by Bruce Reeves There has been some discussion lately about preachers and jealousy. Brother Tommy Peeler has pointed out that preachers are not the only ones who struggle with jealousy. I knew a man one time that told a gospel preacher that he did not think that it was fair that he had more personal…

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The Qualifications of Preachers

by David R. Pharr Twice Paul refers to Timothy, as a “man of God.” “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (I Timothy 6:11). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:…

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The Preacher and His Study

by Hiram Kemp The preacher of God’s Word is to speak with all the authority God has given him (Titus 2:15). He is to speak as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11). He is to proclaim the gospel as the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). However, all of these things assume that…

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Tent-Making Preachers

by Andy Sochor God’s design is that those who dedicate their lives to preaching the gospel receive full support for that work. Paul told the church in Corinth, “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:14). However, one who preaches may not always…

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How should the adultery of a minister be handled?

Question: My Dear Brother, I would like to express my deep grief because of what’s happening in our local congregation. I am in desperate need of guidance as my heart is so much troubled. We found out that our minister of many years has been hiding a horrible sin of adultery where a child has been…

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Sister Peter

by Sewell Hall From the Roswell Family Report, March 18, 2012 Fifty years ago, it was easier to remember the names of Christians than it is now. Every man’s first name was “Brother” and every woman’s name was “Sister.” Now, most people are known by their given names almost exclusively. We must return, however, to…

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Is there an example of a church asking someone to come work with them?

Question: Hi, I called and talked to Jeff regarding the biblical authority for having a local evangelist or preacher. I appreciate the time he took to talk to me and help me. I do have a few follow-up questions. Also, I really appreciate your website as it is easy to navigate, is full of good…

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Preaching as an Elderly Man

by John Humphries The golden years (or sunset years) can be a very challenging time in an elderly preacher’s life. With most, their bodies have been weakened by age, so they no longer have the energy to move about as quickly as when they were younger. With some, their mind remains clear and they are…

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Be a Barnabas

by Jefferson David Tant We are familiar with Paul’s companion in some of his travels. He is first mentioned in Acts 4:36: “Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement).” What a great description of Paul’s brother and companion. He is next…

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Service or Power

by Doy Moyer “I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not receive our authority” (III John 9). Refusing the authority of the apostles and seeking to take first place among others, like Diotrephes, is a fundamental betrayal of the fellowship among believers. It is a…

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Meet the Preacher

by Danny Dodd You may know us, but then again you may not. Preachers have a way of hiding behind the pulpit. We can easily be stereotyped. Through experience, we often learn to become very guarded and protective of our hearts and homes. Paradoxically though we often feel obligated to give even more of ourselves…

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My preacher oversees several congregations. What do I do?

Question: God bless you for your detailed explanation of congregational cooperation. However, I’m still confused. My preacher is an overseer of many local congregations in our community. He appoints the preachers of such congregations, takes their offerings, sets up their church buildings, and makes decisions and policies for them. Unfortunately, we don’t have elders in…

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Training Young Men to Preach

by Jefferson David Tant Each generation passes and another follows. This has been going on  —well, ever since Adam and Eve started the cycle. Included in this cycle are those who preach the gospel. Paul mentioned five functions that were assigned to men in the body of Christ — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers…

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Are men called by God to preach?

Question: Why do some people say that in order for a man to preach he has to be called by God? Answer: “Called” is another way to say “invited” or “encouraged to come.” Those who are Christians have been called by God. “You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly…

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The Corinthians’ Error on Baptism

by Perry Hall “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Corinthians 1:17 CSB). When people today use this passage to discredit the place and importance of baptism, ironically they make the same mistake as the Corinthians but for a different reason. Paul’s actual defense of baptism shows that…

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Preaching and Prayer

by Dennis Allan Christianity Magazine March 1989 Considering the role of prayer in the life and work of New Testament preachers will challenge us to greater devotion and closer communion with God. The significance of prayer among early saints can be traced to Jesus, where we will focus our attention in this brief look at…

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The Emergence of Denominational Leadership

Ed Harrell, “B.C. Goodpasture: Leader of Institutional Thought,” in Melvin D. Curry, ed., They Being Dead Yet Speak (FloridaCollege Lectures, 1981), pp. 249-250. (Excerpt from a section entitled “The Emergence of Denominational Leadership”). B. C. Goodpasture fits neatly into a sociological model of second-generation religious leaders. One can pretty well trace the evolution of a…

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What Is a Good Minister?

by Jefferson David Tant adapted from an article by Ken Weliever “He’s a good preacher,” is often used to describe various gospel preachers. But what makes a good preacher? How would you define one? Is he a great orator? Can he captivate the audience? Does he preach soothing words? Can he preach without offending anyone?…

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Paying Preachers

by Matthew W. Bassford Never does anyone argue harder for something they won’t actually take than Paul does in I Corinthians 9:3-14. Through much of his ministry, especially his time with the church in Corinth, Paul refused financial support from the church with which he was working. It may be that as per Romans 7:7-8,…

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If a preacher sins, is he permanently disqualified from preaching?

Question: Hi, What is the proper term to call the speaker on Sunday? Is it a pastor or a preacher? Also, to be a preacher you basically have to have all the qualifications of an elder correct? And if for some reason a preacher sins, such as adultery, they would be removed from that position,…

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So You Want to be a Preacher?

by Jefferson David Tant There is no more noble aspiration than to be a servant of the Most High God in seeking the lost and encouraging the saved. After more than 65 years of engaging in this labor of love, please allow me to share some perspectives from my viewpoint. With my father and grandfather…

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Feeling Wanted and Needed

by Terry Wane Benton We were very young (24) when we first started preaching full time or “living of the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:7-14). God providentially put us in the right place (Berney Points in Birmingham, AL) for this early training ground. We needed to feel wanted and needed in this first attempt, and the…

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