Those “Sorry” Young Preachers

by Bill Hall
via Biblical Insights, Vol. 14 No. 8, August 2014

We hear criticism all along of the young preachers among us: “They don’t preach like the older preachers,” they say. That’s funny! It sounds like what people said of us older preachers when we were young. The truth is, we know of many young preachers who are capable, knowledgeable in the scriptures, sound in the faith, and clear in their presentation. We were recently challenged to name a few, and without much thought, a number of names came to mind. We rejoice as we see these young men develop. We have confidence in them. We consider many of them close friends, but we do have some advice we hope will be helpful.

Avoid pride

This will not be easy. People will praise you, place you on a pedestal you do not deserve, and shower you with gifts, all because of their appreciation for your work and their desire to further encourage you. But such praise can lead to pride, and pride will destroy you, rendering you ineffective and displeasing to God.

• "Pride goes before destruction..." (Proverbs 16:18).
• "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

Remember, whatever talents you have, God gave them to you. Whatever good you do, it is by the grace of God (I Corinthians 15:10). Thank God and give Him the glory.

Guard your morals

Many a young preacher has experienced shipwreck because of an immoral relationship. Dreams are shattered. Regrets plague them. You must not be among them. If you do give in to the lust of the flesh, you will definitely suffer severe consequences in this life, and you might find it difficult to repent, leading to eternal consequences. Count younger women as sisters, with all purity (I Timothy 5:2).

Don’t neglect your spiritual growth

Read God’s word, not just to find preaching material or to prepare for a Bible study, but for the very purpose of drawing near to God that He might draw near to you (James 4:8). We commend John Gibson’s article in the June 2014 issue of Biblical Insights, “Praying Your Daily Bible Reading.” I wish I had seen that article 50 years ago and put it into practice daily.

Remember, you are a preacher, not a team manager

You should be free to make suggestions, as would be true of any member, but you must not view the elders as “rubber stamps” to approve and implement all the changes you think should be made. Many of us older preachers have been guilty of this, and you might have been misled by us in this regard. The church got along very well before you arrived, and hopefully it will do very well after you are gone. The power is in the word you preach. The good that will live on after you are gone will be that which results from the implanted word that is able to save souls (James 1:21).

Don’t neglect the “first principles”

Especially important today is teaching on the Holy Spirit, Calvinism, and the danger of subjective thinking. You must familiarize yourself with errors related to these subjects and how to refute them. Make the Bible itself your primary source, not the works of denominational preachers. Learn from older gospel preachers who have “sharpened their swords” through battles they have fought. You might receive more praise when you preach other types of lessons (and other types must be preached), but you must preach to the needs of the church, not just to that which will bring you
praise. How long has it been, my young friend, since you preached a sermon on the all-sufficiency of scripture or the danger of subjective thinking or one of the conversions of Acts? A church that hears little teaching along these lines will become very weak.

Preach exclamation points, not question marks

Don’t trouble the church with questions that are unresolved in your own mind. Preach what you know is true and preach it with conviction. Give it the “old Jerusalem ring,” preachers used to say. Avoid speculation. If there is no Bible answer, don’t try to give one. "The secret things belong to the Lord our God..." (Deuteronomy 29:29).

Be a servant

Do your part in visiting those who are hurting. There are those who will tell you this is not your work. But it is your work as a Christian, and, besides, your preaching will be far more effective if your audience knows they have a friend in the pulpit who truly is concerned for them. Do more giving than receiving. Don’t let the brethren spoil you. Don’t become indebted to anyone.

I’m pulling for you, my young friends, and I'm thankful for you. "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" (I Timothy 4:12).