A Call For Preachers

A Call for Proclaimers

Asking God for Biblical Preachers

Years back, it was not uncommon for churches to have more than one person who could be called upon to fill the pulpit in most churches in America. There were churches which had people, who were Biblically approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15) to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2) in different churches across denominational lines in a moment’s notice. Since the allowance by the government enabling people to get ordinations by simply getting on line and paying a small fee, churches across America are having difficulty in finding someone who can fill their pulpits. A response you often get today in looking for someone to fulfill the pulpit for a certain date is, “I do not know what I am doing that day,” which is the low road to the response, “thanks for the opportunity to serve the Lord and the Lord’s people.” Since the light grace handling of people who touched the holy call of proclaiming God’s Word with unholy hands (committing sexual sins and misuse of handling the Lord’s finances) public mistrust of the pulpit ministry has fallen from the high positions it once had.

A heartfelt examination of God’s Word reveals to churches in America the truths we need to live by, if we want to ask God to raise up preachers of the Word.

The Call

The Biblical call, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus… For this I was appointed a preacher…” (1 Timothy 2:1-7) The Apostle Paul also wrote, I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” (2 Timothy 1:11)

In the New Testament, “preacher” or “herald” (????? k?rux) denotes one who is employed by God in the work of proclaiming the truths of the Word of the Lord, an ambassador of the Divine Word. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers; Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.) Note, the preacher is appointed, a messenger vested with public authority, who is to proclaim messages with gravity which is to be heeded, to give attention to with a heart to walk in obedience. The preacher of God’s Word is not to add or take away from the whole truth of Scripture (Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest’s word studies from the Greek New Testament: for the English reader (Vol. 7, pp. 43–44). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.) Their heart is to do their best. The Bible tells those who desire to preach - “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of God.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Developing the skill of exegesis of Scripture is not for the lazy. In order to be able to handle the Word of God correctly, it takes sustained time and effort, often spending days, weeks and months to grasp the truth of the whole of Scripture. For those who desire to enjoy Holy Spirit illumination of the written Word of God they must apply the discipline of reading. Anyone who is good at what they do has a deep comprehension of the topic they are learning and teaching. They are effective only as they apply the knowledge they have learned along with hours of effort. Whether it is mastering an instrument, becoming a master craftsman or becoming skilled at anything, those who make it are those who have determined that exertion was not going to deter them.

Living in a world view so easily influenced by success, prestige and fame, it is imperative not to get preachers who are just eloquent speakers – but preachers who like the Bible says are to give correction. The great Biblical proclaimer, G. Campbell was told, “The preacher must catch the spirit of the age.” His response was, “God [deal] with the preacher who does that. The preacher’s [call] is to correct the spirit of the age. A preacher for Christ must endeavor to understand the spirit of the age – without conforming to it so [so as to point people to the life of Christ.]” (AMG Bible Illustrations. (2000). Chattanooga: AMG Publishers.)

The church which petitions the Lord for preachers must desire to have proclaimers who are striving to live the life. It is not enough to have the authority of the Word – preachers must have evidence of the enabling of the Holy Spirit working in their life. The Bible says we are to be “doers of the Word, not just hearers.” (James 1:22) Preachers must prove faithful in trials and not be complainers. (James 1:2,12; 1 Peter 1:7) Dr. Westfield wrote, “The more conscious a preacher is of his weakness, the more powerful and effective he may be in preaching with humility.” (AMG Bible Illustrations. (2000). Chattanooga: AMG Publishers.)