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Focusing -> RE: What are the qualifications to be a Preacher? (8/8/2008 6:09:49 PM)
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quote:
What is your belief that the qualifications for a man to be able to preach? My belief is that someone who has a true heart for the Lord can step in and preach. There are many people who have beautiful hearts for the Lord who do not have degrees that give them the title of pastor. I have a dear friend who knows the Bible very well, has an incredible relationship with the Lord, is filled with the Holy Spirit, and could easily (imo) step in and "preach" a sermon. He may not agree with me, he is pretty humble about it, but his ability to teach is amazing. At my previous church (a small church), we had one of the senior men step in and preach once in a while when the pastor was unable to due to being out of town or ill. He also taught one of the Sunday school classes. He has a humble heart, knows his Bible well, prepared for the teaching (preaching), and imo did as good a job as the pastor. As for Biblical "standards" as to who may or may not preach, offhand I do not know. As for the debate about his divorce, you brought it up. If that wasn't an issue, you should not have brought it up. Personally, I have the impression that you are looking for a way to get him to not be able to preach at all. If you have an issue with it, you need to bring it to the Lord. I have belonged to two different churches over the years that have had senior pastors who were married, divorced, and remarried. I don't hold it against either of them, it's not my place to do so. They are both amazing preachers and I am blessed to have been under the tutelage of both of them. quote:
I studied the Bible in great detail for a long time and I don't see where the Bible gives definite requirements for a man to be called a preacher or be allowed to preach. Perhaps because God has left this open for good reason. There are many specific issues in life that are not directly and specifically addressed in detail in the Bible. quote:
However, I believe that the requirements in I Timothy for a Bishop and for a Deacon applies to anyone who wants to preach or even claims to be called to preach. Hmmm ... I would not agree with you here. We have a man who stands at the corner every lunch hour during the week and preaches. He does not have any kind of a degree. This is his ministry ... to preach the Word to the lost in a busy downtown location. And, what about people who do missionary work? How many of them have degrees? Are you saying that none of them are qualified to preach the Word of the Lord to the lost? Wow, you just want to endure when he speaks ... does he not have a heart for God? Does he not know the Bible? Is there an issue with his character? With his teaching? Or is it for the reason that he has remarried? Unfortunately, your comments do come across as judgmental, and it seems that you have a bone of contention against this man. It seems to me that there would be better reasons to want to find another church. quote:
I believe what I believe and don't imagine that anyone would be able to change my mind I'm not sure why you are bothering to ask if your mind is closed to changing ... it appears that you are simply looking for validation to back up your prejudice towards this man. That's too bad. You may be losing out on some valuable teaching by keeping your mind closed. quote:
if a Pastor is all of those things, shouldn't anyone who gets behind the pulpit also be required to meet these standards in I Timothy, chapter 3? No. You are expecting someone who is helping out to have the same qualifications and meet the same requirements as the person who holds the position as their life calling. If a secretary helps her boss (an attorney) draft a document, does she need to have a law degree. The answer is no.
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