What A Preacher Owes The Congregation
Robert Meredith
The Apostle Paul told the evangelist Timothy, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). Preachers of today must fulfill the same charge that was laid on Timothy. The New Testament instructs preachers in numerous things that they must fulfill as they choose to labor in the Lord’s Vineyard as an evangelist. The New Testament authorizes a congregation to have a local preacher (Acts 20:31; 21:8 with 8:40, Philip had been there for over twenty years; 1 Corinthians 9:14). There have been, and unfortunately will be, preachers who do not fulfill their duties to the Lord and the local congregation. Let us notice what an evangelist owes the local church.
In 2 Timothy 4:2 Paul commands, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” As noted above, Timothy, a preacher, was to “do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” Therefore, the basic work of a preacher is to teach the pure gospel. It must be the unadulterated gospel that is preached.
The apostle to the Gentiles also told Timothy, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3). It is the truth that sanctifies us, not error (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 4:2-4) and the preacher owes it to the congregation to preach the truth, and all of it (Acts 20:27). It is sad today that in many places, people never hear any scripture; all they hear are stories or philosophies. Many quote from Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Wesley and the like, but never let Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, James and Jude get a word in. Too, as one preaches the truth, it is necessary to expose error and mark false teachers (Romans 16:17). This is not always pleasant, but it is commanded by our Lord for the betterment of His church so that His children will not go headlong into apostasy. The preacher also owes the congregation clear explanations of the scriptures so that the audience can understand them (Nehemiah 8:8). A former instructor of mine used to say, “If the calves can get it, so can the cows.” The purpose of teaching is to convert the lost, strengthen the weak, and develop the church in its work.
Study is also owed the congregation. It has been said, “If a preacher fails to prepare once, he will know it; if he fails to prepare twice, the congregation will know it.” It takes many hours of study to prepare one thirty minute sermon. God commands every Christian to study. In 2 Timothy 2:15 one reads, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Paul earlier told Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine...Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4:13, 15).
As a preacher studies, teaches and associates with members of the local congregation, he must be balanced. As mentioned earlier, all the truth must be preached (Acts 20:27). Some evangelists are guilty of avoiding certain topics, while others “ride a hobbyhorse” on certain topics. The Apostle Paul charged Timothy to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). This charge requires both positive and negative preaching. A preacher should condemn sin, error and also build up the brethren in the faith (Jeremiah 1:10). This demands preaching on grace, faith, obedience, salvation, the church, God’s eternal plan of redemption, marriage-divorce-remarriage, parenting and any other Bible theme. Too, if a preacher desires to be balanced, he should not “run with the same crowd” all the time. Members of the church will form friendships within the congregation. So will a preacher; however, the preacher does not need to be clickish. He is working to help every member of the church and needs to be seen as caring for all.
A preacher should also be willing to visit. It is not the work of the preacher to visit, although some members believe that that is what a preacher is supposed to do. Yes, a preacher should visit because every Christian should (James 1:27). The physically sick need to be comforted and the spiritually sick need to be encouraged. The preacher needs to do these things just as every strong Christian does.
A local preacher owes many things to the congregation. A good manner of life, a clear conscience, love, patience, honesty, sincerity, humility, sympathy, courage and many other such qualities will help him to do the work of an evangelist and fulfill his ministry. A preacher needs to be a preacher, not an entertainer or clown in the pulpit. The Holy Spirit had Paul to write, “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21b). Do preachers fall short? YES, but by God’s grace we can do a little planting and watering (1 Corinthians 3:6) and help others to receive a crown of life from our Lord.