I've been preaching in Upstate New York for over 25 years. Throughout that time many congregations have had to adopt this idea and one thing sticks out more than any other. Churches, (up here at least), do NOT grow without stability in the pulpit. (Full time preacher). Preaching is a calling not a part time hobby. I fear if we head farther in this direction we will have even less of the next generation willing to give their lives to preaching the Gospel.
Bro Jack, really interesting article. I'm engaging this issue from the other end. I graduated a school of preaching 20 years ago, but went into secular work. Now I'm am considering getting back into full-time preaching. Kind of reached the point where I don't want to be doing things for 8-10 hours a day that aren't directly related to the work of the church. I've banked a bunch of life experience that I think would be value-added in a full-time role. All that said, I would be completely down with doing a support group thing for tent-making preachers. I've tried to preach wherever we've been so I'm sympathetic to those efforts. Take care!
I think you brought up some good points. With the culture going awry and the strong possibility of coming persecution and financial problems for Americans looming (already here for some), paying preachers a good salary may diminish dramatically in the near future. Your remarks about the culture are serious and our need to support each other, to be knit together, is needed. It’s scary what’s going on in our culture. When I was growing up, our lives revolved around the church, life wasn’t as busy. We all need to evaluate our priorities. I must decide what is the most important thing to me. I sure enjoy reading your articles.
Sorry to sound confrontational, I didn't mean too, I certainly am not reducing preaching in any way. My main observation is that we have not held up preaching or preachers in a way that glorifies God and now we are faced with a shortage of men willing to step up and give their lives over to God no matter the cost. Many, many years when I quit my secular job for fulltime ministry, a college professor said to me and the rest of my class, "If you can do anything else, leave and go do it, but if preaching and ministry is the only thing you can think about doing, you're in the right place." We need men to commit their lives as Paul and the other disciples did. I am not against preachers finding extra income. I am not against tent making if that gets men in the pulpit. I am afraid of losing men willing to commit their whole lives, no matter the cost as Paul and the disciples did. Our colleges and Preaching training schools are seeing huge shortages in men. Still, I believe God is still calling men to leave it all behind and we, (the church), need to get behind these men and support them in every way.
I've thought about some of these same things before - sometimes I wonder if I could do more good for the kingdom by working a job out in the community.
I've been working hard on the online income side of things. The internet has created a lot of opportunities out there - especially for writers.
I've been preaching in Upstate New York for over 25 years. Throughout that time many congregations have had to adopt this idea and one thing sticks out more than any other. Churches, (up here at least), do NOT grow without stability in the pulpit. (Full time preacher). Preaching is a calling not a part time hobby. I fear if we head farther in this direction we will have even less of the next generation willing to give their lives to preaching the Gospel.
Bro Jack, really interesting article. I'm engaging this issue from the other end. I graduated a school of preaching 20 years ago, but went into secular work. Now I'm am considering getting back into full-time preaching. Kind of reached the point where I don't want to be doing things for 8-10 hours a day that aren't directly related to the work of the church. I've banked a bunch of life experience that I think would be value-added in a full-time role. All that said, I would be completely down with doing a support group thing for tent-making preachers. I've tried to preach wherever we've been so I'm sympathetic to those efforts. Take care!
I think you brought up some good points. With the culture going awry and the strong possibility of coming persecution and financial problems for Americans looming (already here for some), paying preachers a good salary may diminish dramatically in the near future. Your remarks about the culture are serious and our need to support each other, to be knit together, is needed. It’s scary what’s going on in our culture. When I was growing up, our lives revolved around the church, life wasn’t as busy. We all need to evaluate our priorities. I must decide what is the most important thing to me. I sure enjoy reading your articles.
Sorry to sound confrontational, I didn't mean too, I certainly am not reducing preaching in any way. My main observation is that we have not held up preaching or preachers in a way that glorifies God and now we are faced with a shortage of men willing to step up and give their lives over to God no matter the cost. Many, many years when I quit my secular job for fulltime ministry, a college professor said to me and the rest of my class, "If you can do anything else, leave and go do it, but if preaching and ministry is the only thing you can think about doing, you're in the right place." We need men to commit their lives as Paul and the other disciples did. I am not against preachers finding extra income. I am not against tent making if that gets men in the pulpit. I am afraid of losing men willing to commit their whole lives, no matter the cost as Paul and the disciples did. Our colleges and Preaching training schools are seeing huge shortages in men. Still, I believe God is still calling men to leave it all behind and we, (the church), need to get behind these men and support them in every way.
This makes good sense. Our preacher is a horse sale auctioneer. He is very effective on both “jobs.” Go for it!
I've thought about some of these same things before - sometimes I wonder if I could do more good for the kingdom by working a job out in the community.
I've been working hard on the online income side of things. The internet has created a lot of opportunities out there - especially for writers.