Qualifications For A Gospel Preacher

Most churches have developed their own qualifications for an ordained preacher. Some of these qualifications are obviously not from God’s Word, and should have no part to play in who preaches God’s Word whatsoever. In fact, if most of these man made qualification were present in the New Testament churches, no apostle would have qualified to preach the gospel of Christ. Let us examine a few of these frivolous qualifications, and compare them to what the bible has to say about who should preach the Gospel of our Salvation.

SECULAR EDUCATION

In some congregations brethren feel a preacher is not qualified unless be holds a certain degree from a certain college. We sometimes make the mistake of equating education with formal training. It is not necessary for one to attend Harvard or Yale to be classified as educated. One can educate himself  in God’s word if he so desires. Many brethren have done this, and in many instances, they are some of the most able and effective proclaimers of the word among us.

Numerous brethren who do outstanding jobs as preachers bury their talents in a school rooms for a ‘degree’ which they need not, when they could have have been winning souls in the vineyard of the Lord. In many such instances, the additional education is a detriment rather than an asset. In some cases education exceeds the average mind ending up confusing their listeners more than informing them. Effective preaching is the ability to make that which is hard sound very simple to understand.

Paul preached Christ “not with words of wisdom lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect” (I Cor. 1: 17). He affirmed that he “came not with Excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God” (I Cor. 2:1). He said further that his “speech” and preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Cor. 2:4, 5). He declared that “though I be RUDE IN SPEECH, yet not in knowledge” (2 Cor. 11:6). Paul said all of this in spite of the fact that he was likely one of the most educated Jews of his generation (Acts 22:3; 5:34). Churches are the true educators of preachers and no other organization is needed. As Jesus said, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that has heard, and hath learned of the Father, comes unto me.” Jn 6:45 Remember, God has hidden the truth from the wise and prudent and revealed them to the simple. Mt 11:25,26 Paul, a highly educated preacher in the Jewish faith considered his advantages very little. He said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Phil 3:7-8

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Some brethren are very adamant that a preacher should come well recommended. Knowing the right people seemingly is more imperative than knowing how to preach the unadulterated Word of God. Learning something about a preacher’s character and work before employing him is important, but they need to be realistic. Are brethren too naive to see that a man’s friends will always recommend him and his enemies never will? Most anyone can find somebody who will recommend him. When renown brethren recommend a preacher, congregations rejoice thinking they have a godly man. Only in time will they learn whether or not this recommendation was warranted.

Who among us would recommend a preacher who on his resume’ stated that he was once a mass murder of Christians, and that he caused havoc on the church beyond measure? A man who was imprisoned, was considered a heretic from his former employer, and who admitted to killing a zealous gospel preacher. On top of this he was also causing havoc with fellow gospel preachers. This he did in all good conscience.  It’s obvious to say, no church of Christ would hire this man, but in rejecting him they would have rejected the beloved apostle Paul. The only recommendation any preacher needs is: Does he preach the truth. If so, hire him. If not, no amount of recommendations from others will change the fact he is not a a qualified preacher.

MARRIED

A very important qualification with most churches is that a preacher must be married. Had they lived in the first century, Paul, one of the greatest preachers of all time, would have been almost without a place to preach. Brethren say that a preacher can do more good if he is married. That is debatable. Obviously, a single, devoted preacher has more time to devote to do God’s work than a married man. The real question is where did God make this qualification for a preacher of the gospel?  How many of the preachers about whom we read in the New Testament were married? There are many able men who would give full time to the preaching of the word if the brethren would cease imposing this man made qualification. Certainly God designed marriage, and knew that it was conducive to man’s greatest happiness, but nobody has the right to require it of a preacher of the gospel. Conclusively, marital status should play no role in determining who should and who should not preach the Word.

Conclusion: These are just a few of the man-made qualifications which the brethren have invented. Not one of them can be found in the New Testament as a requirement of a gospel preacher. Brethren need to take stock of their attitudes and dispositions to see if they are demanding more of the preacher than does God. If they find they are, they need to stop it. If a preacher has the zeal and knowledge of God’s Word and able to convey this to others. 1 Tim 4:16 f; Tit 2:14  If a preacher is willing and able to preach the Word in and out of season: reproving, rebuking and exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Tim 4:2-5 If a preacher has the capacity to speak where the bible speaks and remain silent where the bible is silent. 1 Pet 4:11 If a preacher refuses to preach the doctrines of men and is resilient in preaching the sound doctrine of Christ and his apostles, then hire him! 2 Jn 9 ff; Acts 2:42; Tit 2:1 You have found what all churches need to be a sound congregation, a sound preacher in the faith! 2 Tim 1:13 f; Tit 2:2