Teacher or Preacher?

 

 

One of the courses I had to take when working toward a Masters in Theology required me to ‘preach’ to my classmates. I picked the first part of Titus 2 that instructs pastors to encourage women in their roles. When I finished, one of the class said that I didn’t preach, that it sounded more like I was reading an essay.

I’ve since heard similar ‘preaching’ and yet find this activity hard to define. One source compares teaching to preaching:

A teacher shares knowledge to their listeners. They educate their listeners with new knowledge or to improve their student's knowledge. A preacher is a persuader. A preacher convinces or persuades their listeners to take action, change their behavior or change their beliefs.

This is technical and does not do it for me. A teacher’s message can be persuasive and a preacher’s words can improve my knowledge but my beliefs and behavior remain unchallenged. Is it something about the delivery rather than the content? Or does it have to do with the heart and motivation of the speaker? Or the heart and desire of the listeners?

For my ‘sermon’ I was speaking to men who would be preachers. I didn’t feel qualified to do that even though I was convinced that they needed to know what my text said and also needed to do it. Women in the church had drifted from those basic responsibilities in their marriages and homes. However, I do not remember saying what I said with the attitude of having authority, or with the conviction that this was vital. My words were correct but not persuasive — or perhaps some of the listeners did not want to do what I told them?

Today, I’m thinking this question needs to be looked at from another angle. We once belonged to a church who recently experienced the retirement of a former pastor and the hiring of a new pastor. The former pastor was well-liked and both taught and persuaded. The new pastor was not gifted in either, but he was compassionate and encouraging. Some of the congregation complained that he was not a teacher, particularly those who lacked compassion and were not encouragers.

This and other observations bring out the reasons for these NT verses:

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)

God tells me I can learn from the gifts and skills of all His people, particularly those differing from my focus. I know what I can do well, but also know where I lack. Those with others gifts than mine can teach me, even if they are not preachers or teachers.

The other truth is that God gives leaders a heart to care for the spiritual life of their congregations. They want to be helpful where He placed them and they want to do it well. It is to my credit if I respect them and joyfully allow them to help me become a more mature Christian. It is to their credit if they can give a positive account to God concerning the development of my spiritual life. This is a win-win for both of us.

The sermon I just heard was not preaching. It sounded like the reading of an essay! But it was truth, and glorified God. For that reason, I can respect and imitate the one who gave it.

PRAY: Jesus, we sheep can hear Your voice in the words of a teacher or preacher, yet this can be entirely subjective. As the speaker I heard today said, my role is to run to You, stay close to You, be filled with Your Spirit and listen for You and for what You tell me to think about and do. This is about knowing Your Word and discerning truth, no matter who says it and no matter their style (or lack of style) in the saying. Help me fully respect those who do what they can do to convey Your words to my life and draw me closer to living as You desire me to live.