When should I share the pulpit?
Question:
Greetings to you, sir,
I trust you have been doing well with your family.
I have this concern bothering me. As a preacher, I understand that at some point I will have to share the pulpit with others, but at what point should that be? I have some who are so eager to mount it, who feel that the preacher can't be the one preaching all the time. Some feel offended for not being called to the podium. Not being long in the congregation, I feel disturbed because there are many things I have yet to teach the congregation, but they already feel they've known and are ready to showcase.
Secondly, how can a preacher manage a congregation without eldership?
Thank you. I await your response.
Answer:
One of your duties as a preacher is to teach others to both teach and preach. "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (II Timothy 2:2). Encourage the men who desire to address the congregation and present lessons. Listen attentively and after the lessons, privately speak with them and give them encouraging words about what they did well and how they might improve.
Not everyone is able to spend long hours preparing lessons for each Sunday, but when a man says he has a lesson ready, then schedule them. In this way, there are going to be times when you are ill or traveling and you will not have to be concerned about who will be teaching while you are gone.
For younger men, we have opportunities after class on Wednesday to give a short, 5-minute lesson and once a month we have a singing and a 10-minute lesson. These become opportunities for men to practice speaking before the congregation.
A preacher does not run a congregation. (See Preachers and So You Want to be a Preacher?) He may be well-versed in the scriptures and can advise a congregation as to what should or should not be done, but it is the congregation that must make the decisions. Even with elders, the elders guide the congregation to make good decisions without being dictators telling the group what to do. (See The Rule of Elders.)
Question:
I'm so deeply grateful for always answering my questions. I'm filled with joy. Thank you for your guidance, sir. It is always wonderful, truly educative, and powerful as usual. I admit there are areas I have failed as you have rightly addressed, and I will have much to learn and to do.
Answer:
Both are important and both should be done to the best of your ability. And you should be training men to be able to handle giving Bible classes.
