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Christian Leadership Training Course

By J.C. Choate

Lesson 10

The Preacher’s Life

We have discussed elders, deacons, preachers, and others in the church that are involved in leadership. At this time we are discussing a number of things on the subject of preachers, and as we continue with this lesson we want to talk about the preacher’s life. We must keep in mind that the preacher is also human, with problems and needs, and that he must safeguard his reputation just like everyone else.

There are many sides to a preacher and even to his life. If you are a preacher, or would like to become one, you need to think seriously about the things we will be saying. While preaching itself is very important, its effectiveness depends much on the kind of life the preacher lives. It could be that he is a hypocrite or a hireling. We certainly pray not, but if he is, he needs to be exposed and rejected as a preacher.

First and foremost, remember that a preacher’s life and his preaching should complement one another. In other words, he should practice what he preaches. Luke wrote in Acts 1:1 concerning Jesus that He “began both to do and teach”. Notice that He lived it, that He practiced it, and then He preached it, or taught it. That is the kind of preaching the world needs now and always. Any other type is a mockery.

In this study, I would like for us to think about the preacher’s physical life: the way he lives, his morality, his social life, his habits, his speech, and then I would like for us to take a look at the preacher’s spiritual life.

We’ll begin by thinking about the preacher’s physical life. It is true that he may have lived one type of life before becoming a Christian, but now that he has obeyed the gospel, through repentance of sin and being baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of his sins, as a Christian and a developing preacher he must live a clean, pure, godly life. His morals must be beyond question. Paul made a statement to the Roman Christians which would especially apply just here. He said, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1,2).

Preachers, especially young preachers, must be careful with their conduct around young women. Even older preachers must be constantly on guard around the opposite sex so as not to fall into temptation and destroy their reputation as well as their souls. Paul advised the young preacher, Timothy, to conduct himself in such a way that no man would despise him because of his youth, but that he should set a good example in all things (1 Timothy 4:12). He went on to say, “Flee also youthful lusts: but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Paul then said to another young preacher, Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in the present age” (Titus 2:11,12).

Preachers must watch their tongues, their speech. Never lie or tell dirty jokes, curse or swear. Paul advises that one should always use the kind of speech that cannot be condemned (Titus 2:8). One should not use his tongue for gossip, or for revenge. James said, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).

What about his habits? Naturally he should not smoke, drink, chew tobacco or use other similar habit-forming substances. Neither should he get hooked on any type of drugs. He should stay away from any form of entertainment that is questionable and wrong. He should always pay his debts. The preacher is no different to the Christian except for the fact that since he is more of a public figure, there will be those watching closely to see what kind of life he is living and how he conducts himself in relationships with others. Both fellow Christians and people of the world will probably be more critical of him than of the average Christian.

The same is true with the preacher’s social contacts. Who are his friends? What type of people does he associate with by preference? It is true that he must deal with all kinds of people because of the nature of his work, but he must be careful of the personal friends he keeps. They should not be questionable characters, with bad morals, etc.

More important than his physical life, what about his spiritual life. What about his prayer life, the time he spends in studying the Bible? Does his daily life denote spirituality? How much time does he spend preparing his sermons? Does he have good study habits? Is he really interested in his work? Does he show love and sincerity in his preaching? Does he get to worship services on time? Does he give of his money as the Bible teaches? Does he do personal work, teaching, visiting the sick, etc.? When he is away from home, does he attend worship? How do people around him look on him? Does he have a good name?

If one is not spiritual, it will come through. Paul said, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). Christ says that we should put Him and His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Again, He said, “If any man desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

A preacher is the one who has dedicated himself to living for the Lord, of proclaiming His word, of helping people to be saved in this world and in the world to come. He therefore has taken upon himself a great responsibility. He must ever be conscious of the commitment he has made to the Lord and to his fellowman. He must be dedicated, willing to sacrifice his time, and his life if necessary, to the Lord’s cause. Anything less is too little. Someone has said, “Don’t become a preacher if you can be anything else; but if you just must preach, then and only then preach.”

We need preachers –– good preachers –– more preachers that have truly given themselves to the Lord’s work and will be faithful to Him to do that work for the rest of their lives.