I suppose that there as many kinds of preachers as there are works to do in this great brotherhood. Some fellows excel at speaking in gospel meetings and lectureships. Other men have mission work in their blood and are not happy unless they are plowing new ground. Still others have a high empathy IQ and are great at listening and counseling. Some are great at administration and organization. Some have a knack for working with young people. We have good writers, good students and men with servant hearts. Anyone who has been in the preaching business for a while knows men who are outstanding in these areas.
But then there is the local man. Our brotherhood is not the largest in the world; not the smallest either, so I don’t know how many local preachers are “out there.” But I’ve seen estimates ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 working with local churches. I’m not sure how accurate any of these numbers might be because our folks are notoriously skeptical about polls and statistics. I’ve know congregations refuse to participate in such an analysis because they figure it’s the Lord’s business and nobody else’s.
But we do have quite a few men who are doing what we call “local work.” I’ve been doing it myself for about forty years. I like it and I know a lot of fellows who like it too. This may be because there is never a dull day in local work. There is always something different that needs doing. The local man may get to listen to someone struggling with life’s issues one day and lead a mission trip the next week. The local man may never be a “big” preacher in the brotherhood but he can preach lessons at home that help the people he loves and love him get to Heaven.
I think the key to doing successful work with the local congregation is the same as the key to having a successful life as a Christian: trying to have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11). The Lord’s mind was characterized by Paul as being humble, obedient to the Lord and with the attitude of a servant. Jesus showed us the way and Paul recorded it for us. It is not an easy thing to do to have the mind of Christ, but is essential for a child of God, no matter what line of work we choose.
I remember some advice from Roger MacKenzie, the preacher who baptized me. I talked to him about what I wanted to do, which was to preach. He said to get a good Bible education and keep a good car. It really does kind of boil down to that. The local man has to know what he is talking about or else not talk about it. I read of a man who worked his way through one of our best law schools. He was a smart fellow and people assumed his brilliance made his success possible. When asked about it he said that his success was due more to his ability to sit for long periods of time in study. Preachers need to begin with a good education and they must to continue to study.
The successful local man never considers himself to have mastered any portion of the Biblical text. To do so would be a manifestation of pride, not humility. Early on in my work I announced to the congregation that we would be studying Romans in one of the adult classes. We were visiting a family in the next few days and the subject of our class came up. I said something about having to do some preparation for it. One sister said, “Well, didn’t you have that class at Freed?” (She knew I was a recent graduate). I really didn’t know what to say because though I had good Bible teachers at college it was painfully apparent to me that I had not mastered Romans. Still haven’t and don’t expect to. So the local man has to be a good student and that forever.
And he has to go where the job takes him. The job may move him around the country, to be sure. I heard an old preacher say “I work for the Lord but the brethren can change my location.” I’ve been blessed with long tenure in my work but it does not always work out that way for everyone. When you hear of a preacher serving on one place for an extended time, you can be sure that there is a good eldership in that place.
But even when firmly located, the job does not always involve sitting still. There are places to go and people to see with the gospel (Romans 1:16). There are sick and lonely people to visit (Matthew 25:31-46). Local men are usually pressed for time but always make time for evangelism and the visits to those in need. Like faithful men everywhere I understand that even though some brethren do not “get it,” we do not have a denominational pastor system. In the churches of historical Christianity (catholic and protestant) local authority is centered in one man. We do not do this because such a thing is contrary to the Biblical pattern (2 Timothy 1:13). The elders oversee the church (Hebrews 13:17). The local man works under the elders. If a preacher attempts to operate outside the Biblical pattern sooner or later he will be a spiritual failure.
Local work is always rewarding but it is not always fun. It can break a man’s heart in so many ways. These days divorce and immorality are wrecking lives of Christians. The preacher can preach and the people may hear but they must also do (James 1:22). The preacher may well know that without doctrinal fidelity there is no spiritual stability, but folks still hear the siren call of the world now as they did in New Testament times (2 Timothy 4:2-4).
But the local man just has to keep going. There are many who have not and will not bow the knee to compromise. There is always hope and there are always people who want the truth (John 8:32). It is a tremendous blessing and responsibility to preach and teach people who love and want that truth.
I appreciate Bill Irby for sharing this article and his experience with us! Bill preached for over 30 years for the congregation where I now preach. I’m thankful he remains an active part of the congregation, and that he lives across the street from me!