Posts Tagged ‘preachers’
What should we do since we learned the elders are misspending the Lord’s money?
Question: Hi! I have read and searched through your question and answer section to make sure this question hasn’t been asked before, so I hope it has not. My husband is a preacher for the church for many years. Recently, he has learned certain information in regard to how our elders are spending the Lord’s…
Read MorePassing the Torch
by Ethan R. Longhenry Almost two thousand years ago the Gospel of Jesus Christ began to be proclaimed: God became Incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth, went about doing good, was crucified and buried, but God raised Him from the dead; He ascended to the Father, received all authority and everlasting dominion, and will return one…
Read MoreAugustus H. F. Payne
by Earl Kimbrough via Biblical Insights When the dark and angry clouds of war gathered over the nation in 1860, some pacifist gospel preachers in Missouri drew up a document pleading with their brethren to refuse to take up arms in the conflict. Entitled Circular from Preachers in Missouri, the paper was intended for brethren in all…
Read MoreI got a girl pregnant. Have I ruined my career as a preacher?
Question: I have been seeking counseling over an issue, but I realized that the counselor was euphemizing the ignominy of my action. Recently, my pastor advised me to consider marriage. Prior to giving me this advice, I messed up and impregnated a girl. I have been supporting her secretively, not wanting my pastor or even…
Read MoreThe Work of an Evangelist
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I got to thinking about evangelists and evangelism in general. An evangelist (Gr. euaggelistes) is a preacher of good news (the gospel – Gr. euaggelion) and evangelism is what an evangelist does – preaches that good news. An evangelist preaches the gospel to the world to save it from sin. Philip was…
Read MoreMy grandmother promised I would be a preacher, but I want to work in tourism. What do I do?
Question: Dear sir, Please clarify my doubts. Before I was born my grannie made a promise to God that she would dedicate her grandson to church ministry, he would do church activities and he would work as a minister. She thought that I should become a pastor and my mom also agreed. But the problem…
Read MoreHow do we notify the congregation that the preacher was asked to leave?
Question: How do we notify the congregation that a minister has been asked to leave? It has not grown over the last several years, and we want to move forward. Answer: I’m not certain how you determined that the lack of growth was the preacher’s fault and not due to the members of the church…
Read MoreCan a man who is obese be a preacher?
Question: Our church of Christ congregation employs a minister who is morbidity obese. His wife is also obese but not to the degree of the minister. The minister claims that his weight is not related to his ministry. Does the Bible have any teachings on this matter? May God bless you and the wonderful work…
Read MoreIs it right for a pastor to collect the tithes and spend the money on things he personally uses?
Question: Dear Minister, We have been attending a church for the last 10 years. My entire family’s tithe or offering is given to the pastor. The pastor never reveals any facts to church leaders about how much tithe was given by members and how much was used for which purpose. We learned recently that he…
Read MoreShould the church continue to support a preacher, whose children are already adults but are not Christians?
Question: I need your advice brother. Should the church continue to support a preacher, whose children are already adults but are not Christians? Answer: There are no requirements in the Bible concerning a preacher’s children. It may be a concern that a preacher is not able to persuade his own family to be Christians, but…
Read MoreYou shouldn’t tell people they sinned when they admit it
Question: To whom it may concern: I have read a few of your questions and answers, as well as layouts of certain topics in worshipping God, and several sins. Everything is very insightful and I appreciate it that you answer straight from the Bible. However, in general, you are very judgmental and do not allow…
Read MoreProfessional Preachers
by Edward O. Bragwell via Biblical Insights, Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2013 The trend toward developing a “professional clergy” among churches of Christ has been in the making for some time now. More and more, both churches and preachers, have come to view gospel preachers as professionals much like the professions of this world. Churches…
Read MoreI was involved in fornication with my boyfriend who is a preacher. We broke up, but how do I straighten out this mess that I got involved in?
Question: My boyfriend of 17 months and I recently broke up. There are many factors that contributed to our decision to end the relationship, but one of the biggest concerns was the distance and the inability or unwillingness for one of us to move in the near future. We still talk and deeply care about…
Read MoreWould a preacher or elder be allowed who had children involved in sexual sins?
Question: Hello, I have been reading some of your web-based information, and I have a few questions; If a youth pastor in the church of Christ (don’t worry, not yours) that has serious secrets in their family such as a gay son who is now out of the house, and a daughter who has had…
Read MoreShould a man be picked as a preacher who is pouting because he wasn’t picked?
Question: The preacher of a congregation developed some health problems and one of the men who served as song leader stood in during the preacher’s absence. He thought he would be chosen after the death of the long-time minister, but he wasn’t. He then has refused to do a talk, but still leads the singing.…
Read MoreShould a man who committed the same sin many times and is still fighting against it be in a leadership position?
Question: Should a man who committed the same sin many times and is still fighting against it be in a leadership position? Answer: Preachers are involved in helping people out of their sins. Elders are involved in keeping people faithful to the gospel. Given that Jesus said, “And why do you look at the speck…
Read MoreAny advice for a person aspiring to preach?
Question: What is some advice you have for a person aspiring to be a preacher? Answer: First, study. You can’t preach accurately what you don’t know. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15). If you need…
Read MoreOur preacher has decided to move because we can’t pay him like we used to. What do we do?
Question: Hello again! First, thank you for all you do, I visit your site often and appreciate your biblical answers! We have a few problems that we are needing some help with and thought you might have some wisdom. Our preacher has lost sight of Matthew 6:31–34. This last year has had ups and downs…
Read MoreWhat do you do when the preacher is in sin and the leadership supports him?
Question: Thanks for your website, it really helps me exercise my critical thinking skills with the Scriptures. One question about withdrawal. What do you do when the offending party is the minister of the congregation? When there are only he and the deacons, and they automatically side with him on everything? The church meeting is…
Read MoreWhat should be done about a preacher whose wife no longer attends?
Question: We have a minister whose wife no longer attends church services. We have no elders. What should we do, or what should he do? (I Timothy 3:5). Answer: A preacher is not the same duty as an elder, nor does a preacher have the same requirements on him as an elder does. I Timothy…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a preacher to hold the office of minister and his wife belongs to a denomination?
Question: Greeting my brother. I have a question: Is it wrong for a preacher to hold the office of minister and his wife belongs to a denomination? Answer: “Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?” (I Corinthians 9:5).…
Read MoreShould a congregation at least partially support a local preacher?
Question: Even though an away congregation is supporting an evangelist full time because the one he is preaching for is small, shouldn’t they (the congregation he is working with) still try to provide some support for him in whatever way? Answer: If another congregation is supporting a preacher fully, then the preacher doesn’t need additional funds. While…
Read MoreCan a preacher be supported by multiple congregations that he is working with?
Question: Is it scriptural for a preacher to accept support from two churches at the same time? e.g. from the church where he is located and the other from the church which he helped established (currently preaching in both churches). Answer: “I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when…
Read MoreShould a preacher be paid through accounts payable or payroll, and how are his taxes handled?
Question: Should a preacher be paid through accounts payable or payroll, and how are his taxes handled? Answer: “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:14). Paul argued in I Corinthians 9 that those who preach the gospel have the right to be…
Read MoreIs it right for a church to raise money for a preacher school or to have leaders instead of elders?
Question: I have a concern over a recent request from a brethren who is a church leader of the congregation where I was baptized years before. He was asking me to help financially support the church planting mission being undertaken by the missionary training academy established by the congregation over the years. The academy has…
Read MoreTwo Preachers: Amos and Amaziah
by Mark White The Old Testament prophet Amos was a shepherd turned preacher. The crowd to whom he preached was the upper class of Israel, including the King himself. He was not their choice of a preacher, however. They did not choose him — God chose Amos for them. His oratory was not refined eloquence.…
Read MoreWhat Saves a Person?
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Since, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9), it would be sensible to understand that in order to get people saved, God would tell them…
Read MoreCan a preacher serve as a chaplain?
Question: I was asked what I thought about a preacher serving as a chaplain for the Police Department. My stand is “no” because it leaves the impression that we are in fellowship with the denominational world (II Corinthians 6:14). I was asked to serve as a Chaplain for a hospital and refused because one of the…
Read MoreIs it wrong to hire a preacher who has been divorced?
Question: There’s a congregation in town that just hired a young preacher who is divorced and it wasn’t for adultery. This was told to me by a sister who knew them well. Is it okay for them to hire a preacher who is in this circumstance? Answer: Neither you nor I know what happened. According to the…
Read MoreShould churches support retired preachers?
Question: I was reading some articles on your church web site, one concerning paying preachers, written by Terry Benton. I was trying to find New Testament scripture for continuing to pay a retired preacher, I guess like retirement for years of service. I am wanting the Bible to be my guide, not my heart. Any thoughts?…
Read MoreIt Is Scriptural to Pay Preachers
by Billy Moore via For a Better Understanding, March / April 2010 “..the laborer is worthy of his hire… ” (Luke 10:7). “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:14). “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all…
Read MoreAre elders responsible for the employment of preachers?
Question: I enjoyed and appreciated your article on the work of the evangelist. I find it quite different from many by what you might consider institutional churches of Christ. I am concerned about the final paragraph on the selection of the minister. As I understand first-century history, many preachers were involved in the establishing, building up,…
Read MoreDon’t Muzzle the Ox
by Sam Stinson “For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the…
Read MoreDoes I Corinthians 16:1-2 Apply to Us Today?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 25, June 20, 2008. Let us first note what the passage says: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by…
Read MoreI don’t think a preacher caught in adultery should continue without some disciplinary action
Question: I have been reading your many posts on marriage and relationships. I am somewhat confused in regards to your reply to “If a minister has committed adultery, should he step down even though he has repented of his sin.” It seems that you say that the preacher can continue in his ministerial service without…
Read MoreIf a minister has committed adultery, should he step down even though he has repented of his sin?
Question: What should happen to a minister who has committed adultery for almost a decade with a woman of another congregation who has made their relationship known to the leadership and other members? Hence, the minister has confessed before the congregation that he has sinned and that he repented of his sins and that his…
Read MoreHow do I deal with an arrogant leader?
Question: I have a “leader” in our church who always explains that he is not arrogant because he does not hold himself in a higher value than others; however, his actions say otherwise. He will take any chance he gets to show off his biblical knowledge, he will constantly tell people they are wrong, he…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between a preacher and a teacher?
Question: I’ve been wondering about this one for some time now, but still can’t quite figure it. For all the similarities that one can see between “preaching” and “teaching” (and besides things like audience involvement), what is the real difference between the two? Focus? Delivery? Approach? I’m always thankful to God for your help. Answer:…
Read MorePaying Uninspired Gospel Preachers
by Terry W. Benton In discussing the right and expectation preachers ought to have for adequate financial support, I appealed to Paul’s statements in I Corinthians 9:4-14 for the proof of that rightful expectation. A man of the house-church persuasion responded, and I think the exchange hits on some very needed points of scriptural understanding…
Read MoreWhat Is the Proper Way to Refer to a Preacher?
Adapted from an article by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 58, No. 34, Aug. 21, 2009. Question: My denominational friends refer to their preacher as “Pastor” or “Reverend.” What is the proper way to address the preacher, or how do you refer to him as you speak of him to others? Answer: For me,…
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