preachers

Should a repeated adulterer be dismissed from the ministry?

February 4, 2007

Question: I would like to know what God’s view is on this matter. A pastor in our town who is over a church is committing adultery over and over again. The church keeps taking him from the pulpit but after awhile lets him come back to the pulpit. My opinion this is the blind leading…

Should preachers only be supported if they are in need?

November 18, 2006

Question: This subject came up in our budget meeting last night. The brethren proposed to increase the pay for our gospel meetings and our spiritual weekend events. I objected. I am in agreement with the scriptures used in your address regarding supporting the work of the Gospel. I stand on this: It is scripturally wrong to pay…

The Blessings of Being a Preacher’s Wife

August 31, 2006

by Barbara C. Adams Originally published in Truth Magazine, March 22, 1973, anonymously Republished in Searching the Scriptures, March 1978 Republished in an abridged form in Biblical Insights, October 2006 Tonight is the 23rd of December. In another week a new year will be upon us. It, naturally, is a time for reflection and a time to count…

Do you employ a full-time leader?

August 2, 2006

Question: We found your site by accident during a Google search on Edom. We are non-denominational believers based in Indiana. We were pleased to note an emphasis on the spiritual and an avoidance of worldliness in your assembly. We feel called to fellowship with other believers, but we find that very few organizations today manage…

Do abuses prove that preachers are being overused in congregations?

July 3, 2006

Question: I suppose my reasoning for my concerns with the article on preachers is rooted in other issues. I see so much abuse of the preacher position in the churches of Christ, in general. We are expecting these men to do everything while many members feel their role is to put their check in the plate as…

Can a preacher kick members out of a church?

June 3, 2006

Question: Can a preacher kick members out of the church? Answer: The primary job of a preacher, as described in the Bible, is to be a herald of God’s good news. He teaches those outside the church how to become a part of the church. He teaches those inside and outside the church how to…

What is “mutual edification?”

March 2, 2006

Question: Is the term “Mutual Edification” associated with the Ketcherside movement? We had a couple come into our services today, and they seemed to go out of their way not to tell us exactly where they attend. It seemed to me that he was indicating that he was trying to find a place to preach. In a…

Should a preacher be referred to as “reverend?”

February 16, 2006

Question: Very often here preachers are referred to as reverend. Is it correct to refer to a preacher, minister or elder as reverend? Answer: The word reverend indicates that a person is worthy of adoration or reverence, entitled to respect mingled with fear and affection. Such a description would apply to our attitude toward God.…

Reverend Is His Name

February 16, 2006

by Kent Heaton The book of Psalms is a powerful testimony to the majesty, praise, glory, and awesome power of Jehovah God. Isaiah wrote the words of the Lord, “To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal and compare Me, that we would be alike . Remember the former things long past, for…

Locating Congregations of the Churches of Christ

January 25, 2006

Directories Find the Church Interactive Bible Directory of Churches of Christ in the United Kingdom Directory of Churches in the Upper Midwest Congregations in this Region Nebraska Church of Christ at 7th and Bell, Beatrice, Nebraska La Vista Church of Christ, La Vista, Nebraska Iowa Davenport Church of Christ, Davenport, Iowa Des Moines Church of…

Do the Work of an Evangelist

November 21, 2005

by Keith Storment via The Preceptor, September 1983 In II Timothy 4:5 Paul admonishes his young protégé, Timothy, to “be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” We can see in the context of this verse several reasons why we need faithful men, young and old, to be…

Must a Preacher Move?

July 22, 2005

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Over the years, I have heard various individuals argue against preachers being located in a particular area and working with one congregation. Typically, they will point out that Paul, and those with him, worked with many congregations, moving from city to city. In their view, elders should do the bulk of…

Don’t “Reverend” Me — It’s Forbidden!

July 1, 2005

by Hayse Reneau The English word ‘Reverend’ is used but once in our Bible; and it references, The Creator, Jehovah God (Psalms 111:9.) “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” Anyone who accepts this title is filled with unholy pride or is ignorant…

What does a preacher’s wife do?

May 5, 2005

Question: I am getting married soon and my future husband will be looking for a church at which to preach. While I’ve grown up in the church, I’ve never really been around for the “behind the scenes” look at what a preacher’s wife does and what position she holds. Any information you could give me…

Should a preacher do weddings?

March 4, 2005

Question: I was recently asked to perform a wedding. I really prefer to let others attend to weddings. What are your thoughts? Answer: Weddings are not a function of the church, but I consider them an opportunity to teach the gospel. Marriages are sanctioned by God (Matthew 19: 4-6), so I am willing to encourage…

Morals in the Pulpit and in the Pew

January 20, 2005

by Leslie Diestelkamp via Think, Vol. 2, No. 5, July 1971 Once, when I preached a sermon on morals, a mature man in the congregation asked to speak. For perhaps two or three minutes he exhorted the people, giving complete endorsement to what I had preached. I believe his endorsement may have impressed the people more…

McGarvey as a Preacher and Teacher

January 19, 2005

by Henry S. Ficklin via Gospel Guardian, Vol. 10, No. 39, Feb. 5, 1959 In 1902, when I began as a student at Transylvania University, in Lexington, Kentucky, McGarvey was President of the College Of The Bible. These two institutions were on the same campus, but they were separately organized. It was McGarvey’s desire, I fully…

Can a man be both a preacher and an elder?

June 19, 2004

Question: Can an elder function as an evangelist and vice versa? Answer: The word “pastor” in Ephesians 4:11 comes from a Greek word referring to a shepherd. This is the man charged with the care and feeding of a flock. As with the office of the evangelist, this office is described by a variety of words. We…

Who removes an elder from office?

June 18, 2004

Answer: If an elder sins, who removes him from office? Answer: Paul told Timothy, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and…

Who appoints elders?

June 18, 2004

Question: Who appoint elders? Answer: The qualifications for the position of elder are found in lists recorded in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. That the eldership is a distinct duty is clearly seen in I Timothy 3:1, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires…

Should a preacher be paid to hold a gospel meeting?

May 11, 2004

Question: One brother raised an objection that he believed that a preacher shouldn’t be paid anything for holding a gospel meeting! The reason being that it would be paying to hear the gospel preached. What do you think? Answers: “My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat…

Teaching Unpopular Doctrine

July 9, 2003

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Some questions are difficult to answer, not because the Bible is unclear on a matter, but because there is a strong bias against the correct answer within the culture. Today, we have no difficulty speaking against idolatry. Even non-Christians understand that worshiping an idol is a worthless effort, just as God…

June 9, 2003

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Among the duties or roles within the church listed in Ephesians 4:11-12 is the work of the evangelist. The word is translated from a Greek word which referred to a person who brought joyous news of victory from the battlefront. When the same word is used in reference to what that…