A number of problems exist with the preaching in our assemblies. These problems include:
Sometimes, through conceit, we think the preaching in our assemblies is better than denominational churches. Whether this is true or not, the problems still exist and we need to address them.
Many people recognize the problems. Some people vote with their feet and some people just complain. This paper is intended to help the situation, not make it worse! Some people push for an unscriptural solution by suggesting we hire a Pastor. This "solution" does not address the long term problems, and may not even provide a short term solution (because the man might not provide better ministry than what we are already receiving in the assembly).
Gifted brothers should preach. We must not ask ungifted brothers to preach. Just because a brother has been preaching in the assembly in the past does not mean he is gifted. It will call for courage among the Elders to only ask gifted brothers to preach.
Of course, if we don't know whether a brother is gifted or not, a place must be opened for him until such time as the Elders determine whether his is gifted or not. If a man is not gifted to preach (teach, exhort or evangelize), the Elders must explain their convictions that he is not gifted, and help him to find what his gift is.
Of course, the Lord may give an ungifted brother a thought to share with the believers. At times like this, the occasional open meeting can be helpful.
Younger brothers who show evidence of gift must be taken under the care of the older brothers and given opportunity to develop gift. However, this is not happening to the extent it should. While young men might be given opportunities to preach, nobody is helping them develop their gift. There are a number of ways we can help develop the gift of younger brothers:
Preaching is not a mechanical activity, but a moving of the Holy Spirit. We look for the Spirit's leading during the delivery of a sermon, and we should look for the Spirit's leading during the preparation of a sermon. Regrettably, many brothers seem to give their sermons minimal preparation time. Preaching is a 3 step process. We study the Scriptures, we prepare a sermon and then we preach the sermon. Many brothers seem to be taking the easy way out:
Sometimes the Elders will leave topic selection to the individual brother and sometimes they will feel that a particular topic (or passage) needs to be addressed. Sometimes, care is not taken in selecting the right brother or dividing up the passage in a proper manner. Using the example of a 6 week series where 6 brothers are each assigned a chapter, the following often happens:
I believe it would be better for the elders to divide the book up into passages rather than just following the chapter divisions. If a passage has thorny theological issues, a smaller amount of text should be assigned, and the brother who preaches on this passage should be equipped to handle theological matters. If a passage has a "gospel verse" and we want to have a "gospel message, we should invite an evangelist to preach on this passage. A week for introduction and a week for summary should be assigned. The elders should decide on a consistent style of ministry for the series, either verse-by-verse or broader themes.
The elders should also make it clear to a brother that they expect him to use his gift and not someone else's. If a man is gifted for gospel ministry, he should deliver gospel ministry Sunday morning and Sunday evening. He should not attempt to teach on Sunday night. If a man is gifted for a teaching ministry, he should deliver teaching ministry Sunday morning and Sunday evening. He should not attempt to preach a gospel message on Sunday morning.
As we preach the Gospel, we should be aware that we are in a Biblically illiterate society. Gospel ministry should be clear. I fear that our gospel ministry is only clear to those who are already saved. Subtle use of typology, quotations from Scripture without letting the audience know the quote is from Scripture and references to broad themes will not reach today's audience. We should not water down the message, but we must modify how we present the Gospel.
Some brothers are gifted for exhortation, but ministry of exhortation is rare. We are afraid of offending the believers in the assembly. When was the last time the elders in your assembly asked a brother to address a particular problem with a message of exhortation? It will require great courage for the elders to include ministry of exhortation along with teaching and evangelistic ministry.
The points mentioned in this paper will require the Elders to have courage and backbone if they are to be implemented. It will especially require courage (and tact) to tell a brother that he is not gifted in a public speaking capability.