![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/elderlyMan-150x300.png\")
Baptisms and burials: over a lifetime, the preacher performed a great number of these.\u00a0 From Genesis to Revelation, his words carefully uttered the precepts of God.\u00a0 His hair was once full, and his face youthfully smooth.\u00a0 Now his hair sports only grey, and wrinkles outline his face.\u00a0 God called him through the gospel, and the preacher answered.\u00a0 He knows spiritual peace as every day brings him closer to his Heavenly Father.\u00a0 Yet, the preacher seeks answers.\u00a0 How long will he be able to continue preaching?\u00a0 He feels strong now, but for how much longer?\u00a0 His wife believes in him, but she moves slower these days.\u00a0 How will he provide for her when he can no longer preach?\u00a0 Still, God watched over them all of these years, and the preacher knows He will continue to do so.\u00a0 He grabs his Bible and begins a new day.<\/p>\n
Is your aged preacher unsound? Is he unable to preach? If not, why would you dishonor him and disservice the Church by seeking a replacement?<\/p>\n
“Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come”<\/em>\u00a0(Psalm 71:18).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
“We need a young preacher who can relate to the teenagers!”<\/p>\n
“I asked him a question the other day and it took him a long time to respond, I think his mind is going.”<\/p>\n
“We need a preacher who can go up and down the street knocking on doors.”<\/p>\n
Words such as these pop up in congregations around the land.\u00a0 Regardless of motive, accuracy, or wisdom, they represent a body of believers who believe the aged preacher is lacking something.\u00a0 That perceived lack may cause them to pursue the preacher’s replacement.\u00a0 An alarming number of Sound gospel preachers have been abruptly dismissed from a congregation because they were “too old.”\u00a0 Eventually, everyone ages.\u00a0 Does this make them worthless?\u00a0 Understand this: the only factors that matter when considering a preacher should be:\u00a0 Is this a sound man who can deliver a sound message?<\/p>\n
“The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair<\/em>” (Proverbs 20:29).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
What does a sound but aged preacher lack?\u00a0 He does indeed lack youth.\u00a0 A number of cultures prize youth above old age.\u00a0 A person’s energy level certainly does change as they get older.\u00a0 Appearance transforms, hearing and eyesight dull, and the bone structure weakens.\u00a0 Response times cannot be compared in most cases with younger people.\u00a0 A preacher may also lack modern vernacular.\u00a0 In other words, not only have the terms or meanings changed between the ages of the preacher and the youth, but the topics of conversation are also different.\u00a0 Most likely, the preacher also lacks knowledge of the latest gadgets.\u00a0 This particular preacher is one of them-iPad, iPhone, tablet, Kindles, Blue Ray … no clue.\u00a0 I know aged preachers who cannot operate a basic computer, let alone consider the newest technology.\u00a0 Some might ask, “How can the old preacher possibly relate without this knowledge?”\u00a0 Yes, the aged preacher may indeed lack some things that others prize.\u00a0 The greatest question to be asked is:\u00a0 “How much does God prize the preacher despite what he lacks?”<\/p>\n
It seems a fair examination to note things an aged preacher lacks that might concern some people.\u00a0 Logic also appeals to the need to examine what a sound but an aged preacher does not lack.<\/p>\n
An aged preacher does not lack experience.\u00a0 A preacher sees the good and the bad over the years.\u00a0 Bickering members, doctrinal disputes, debates, firings, church discipline, church takeovers, church splits, rebukes, adulteries, fornications, abused children, homosexuality, pedophilia, sermon interruptions, members storming out, weak elderships, overbearing elderships, elderships asked to step down, false teachers, addictions to drugs, gambling, sex, pornography, … the list of what a preacher has seen could go on and on.\u00a0 He has dealt with innumerable spiritual “catastrophes”.\u00a0 \u00a0An aged preacher should be thought of as a spiritual warrior (Ephesians 6:10-18).\u00a0 He fights battle after battle in service of his king.\u00a0 He should not become a forgotten hero.\u00a0 Understand sin does not change!\u00a0 Yes, it tries to take different forms, but a man who knows the Word knows when transgression occurs.\u00a0 An aged preacher does not lack experience fighting spiritual battles.<\/p>\n
An aged preacher does not lack wisdom, he fears God for he has spent his life coming to know him (Proverbs 9:10).\u00a0 The preacher studies the Word, the mind of God, and imparts it to others.\u00a0 As the years go by, he becomes not simply an “old man”; rather, he is a sage.\u00a0 An aged preacher friend of mine noted this last year that his mentors have all died off.\u00a0 Now, the mentored had become the mentor.\u00a0 While a preacher may not be an elder, quite often, elderships confide in him to avoid difficulties and strengthen weak areas of a congregation.\u00a0 Knowledge gathered and applied over forty to fifty years of preaching must be respected.\u00a0 It cannot be replaced by good hair and a PowerPoint projector.\u00a0 A man who has likely raised children and seen thousands of others raised knows something about youth that a twenty-year-old kid with a Bible degree does not.\u00a0 Christians need to take time to listen to their aged preacher.\u00a0 They need to reach out to them while slowing down in their lives enough to pay attention.\u00a0 Biblical understanding trumps the emotions of members, often letting the world have too much of a pull in their lives.<\/p>\n
Finally, an aged preacher does not lack leadership.\u00a0 Early on, the feelings of fatherhood develop in him as he shares the Word of God with the Church.\u00a0 He begins to view the Christians as his children more and more.\u00a0 This can even be seen in the words of the apostles as they write to the Christians, calling them “children” or “my child.”\u00a0 They understand that as they appear before the congregation each week and interact in their daily lives, others will try to emulate them.\u00a0 Thus, they work to set a standard.\u00a0 They try to lead souls to Christ by living godly lives.\u00a0 Everyone desires to see their children grow.\u00a0 No less does the preacher with the Christians not only in his location but in the others he visits or reaches through recordings or writings.\u00a0 Yes, the preacher rebukes at times.\u00a0 He warns.\u00a0 He chastens.\u00a0 He exhorts Christians to avoid all forms of evil.\u00a0 Unfortunately, some may just view him as an overly cautious worrier.\u00a0 This conclusion comes not from the scriptures but from congregants viewing the preacher as an old man rather than a speaker of God’s truths.\u00a0 That problem lies not within the preacher but within the Christian.\u00a0 Christians would do wise to consider this leader of men (Proverbs 23:22).<\/p>\n
Aged preachers do lack in some areas, but they more than make up for it in others.\u00a0 However, when considering an aged preacher, consider two items a congregation should not lack:\u00a0 honor and compassion.\u00a0 A congregation should behave in an honorable manner toward aged preachers.\u00a0 If a preacher can preach soundly, don’t you dare hinder him.\u00a0 If, due to age, he is struggling, elders will talk about how you can help.\u00a0 Perhaps he would appreciate doing a few things differently or would like to preach only part-time.\u00a0 Work with this man who has given his life to God.\u00a0 Do not pull his lifeline or passion out from under him.\u00a0 Again, act honorably and treat him well.\u00a0 Even if he is no longer able to preach full-time, find ways to engage him in shorter venues or on special occasions.\u00a0 Compassion is something Jesus demonstrated throughout his earthly life.\u00a0 Compassion goes a great way when dealing with an aged preacher.\u00a0 We are to treat all of our brothers and sisters well.\u00a0 If a preacher reaches the point where he steps down, do not forget him.\u00a0 Do not fail to care for him, as he has cared for so many over the years.\u00a0 Do not give him a chance to regret any service.\u00a0 Show him that his children loved him and learned from him.<\/p>\n
A sound, aged preacher is worth more than gold.\u00a0 He may be lacking, but not as a Christian.\u00a0 He is experienced, wise, and a leader of generations.\u00a0\u00a0 Have honor and compassion upon him.\u00a0 Pray that he finds the answer to his life of service as did Abram: “But thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.”<\/em>(Genesis 15:15). Give him peace by providing him the opportunity to preach until the end.\u00a0 Give him peace by caring for him and his wife.\u00a0 Give him peace by knowing you heard the Word he shared and the Word he lived.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Travis Main via\u00a0Church of Christ Articles Baptisms and burials: over a lifetime, the preacher performed a great number of these.\u00a0 From Genesis to Revelation, his words carefully uttered the precepts of God.\u00a0 His hair was once full, and his face youthfully smooth.\u00a0 Now his hair sports only grey, and wrinkles outline his face.\u00a0 God…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[775,776,1511],"class_list":["post-54803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-elderly","tag-old-age","tag-preachers"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":60538,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/two-preachers-amos-and-amaziah\/","url_meta":{"origin":54803,"position":0},"title":"Two Preachers: Amos and Amaziah","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"April 29, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20266,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-i-let-a-congregation-know-that-the-preachers-son-is-homosexual\/","url_meta":{"origin":54803,"position":1},"title":"Should I let a congregation know that the preacher’s son is homosexual?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 23, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I know of a preacher in a Church of Christ, whose son is living a homosexual lifestyle. No one in the church knows this. (By the way, I do not belong to this church, I live in a different state.) I am aware that the preacher and his family\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51729,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/can-a-man-continue-to-preach-when-his-wife-left-him-because-she-doesnt-want-to-be-a-preachers-wife\/","url_meta":{"origin":54803,"position":2},"title":"Can a man continue to preach when his wife left him because she doesn’t want to be a preacher’s wife?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 9, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: If a minister's wife leaves him, is it still biblical for him to stay in the pulpit? She left him as she didn't want to be a preacher's wife any longer. He preaches for a church of Christ. Answer: There are few qualifications of a preacher, beyond his ability\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51035,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-preacher-and-his-study\/","url_meta":{"origin":54803,"position":3},"title":"The Preacher and His Study","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":39727,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-the-church-continue-to-support-a-preacher-whose-children-are-already-adults-but-are-not-christians\/","url_meta":{"origin":54803,"position":4},"title":"Should the church continue to support a preacher, whose children are already adults but are not Christians?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 16, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":32774,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-should-be-done-about-a-preacher-whose-wife-no-longer-attends\/","url_meta":{"origin":54803,"position":5},"title":"What should be done about a preacher whose wife no longer attends?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 5, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"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\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54803"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54803\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}