We know what the Bible teaches about the work and role of an evangelist. But typically, a preacher, looking for a place to preach, goes to a congregation, preaches one or two sermons, and sits behind closed doors with an eldership who decides whether or not they will hire him. If the preacher agrees to the move, he is expected to follow a contract, whether written or unwritten that is prepared by the elders. Since they were given the power to “hire” him, they must also have the power to “fire” him if he does not fulfill the requirements of the contract satisfactorily. He is hired to preach behind a certain pulpit, primarily. He is allowed to preach elsewhere with the knowledge and approval of the church leadership that hired him, but preaching somewhere else on Sunday is limited to a certain number that is disclosed in the contract. I appreciated the response from the late Robert Turner, who was asked by a young man if he knew of a place where he could preach. Turner said, “Well, let’s see – there’s a community civic center or the city park….” He followed his response with his familiar laugh, but I appreciated the response probably more than the young man who asked because it points to the mistaken notion that shepherds and preachers look at themselves as workers in the church organization. Shepherds pastor the congregation and preachers preach to the congregation. These become workers of the local church. Whether we agree on the divine approval of this arrangement, we must agree that the New Testament texts used to describe these modern-day workers describe a very different arrangement that has no church institution, church building, church treasury, or church officers.
As a result of this departure from the leadership rule of elders taught in the Bible, some church elders have told preachers not to preach on some sensitive subject like marriage and divorce or church discipline. When told not to preach that which the Word of God teaches, some preachers are immediately inquisitive. I am at once concerned with any man’s right to tell me what I can preach and cannot preach if it’s in the Bible. The logic for such a request by the leadership of a church is the inappropriateness of a public address that may cause the member to feel targetted. At least in some cases, it is deemed good judgment to address sensitive issues privately. Of course, the cause for this demand is fueled by the false view of an elder’s rule over a congregation.
Some newly hired preachers remind the congregation and its leadership that they work with them, not for them. Such sentiments that preface the preacher’s work is an admission that confusion exists concerning his role. Yet, nothing is changed and he agrees with the arrangement and is hired on to preach. In some cases, he is seen as the representative of the church so that his presence and/or work is the church at work since he’s hired by them and is supported by their contribution (work by proxy).
The method and manner of dealing with the preacher and his family are different from everyone else in the church. Their lives are under scrutiny and held to a higher standard than the rest of the church members. He has to have all the answers or at least admit ignorance without losing his image as an authority figure. Sin in the life of a hired preacher is handled differently than the membership, too. To confess sin not only causes the membership to lose confidence in him but most often would end in his dismissal. This expectation of this exemplary public figure to be above sin and have all knowledge fosters hypocrisy, deceit, and a scapegoat upon which others can place blame and failures.
The measure of successes on the preacher’s resume is the measure of church numerical growth, baptisms, and additions since his arrival. Such a list of accomplishments and braggadocious stories of personal victories is a gross display of sinful pride and arrogance. This is one of the seven atrocious behaviors that the God of heaven hates. Yet, few seem to mind, while most expect it as a tribute to the greatness of the man and his work.
These are just a few of the ill effects of an arrangement built by man. Having experienced over thirty years in this profession, the personal experiences and that of others could produce a list that could continue for several pages.