The Qualifications of a Preacherby MBGThe qualifications to preach are so numerous that no one source may contain them all. Every preacher and theologian will have some point on his list that may not appear on another’ sand so forth. Let us consider but a few of the most basic of all requirements. He must be converted. I am not merely referring to salvation here, but to the entire change of life that comes when one gives himself wholly to the Lord. It is not enough for a Preacher to be regenerate, but it is imperative that he be a Christian of Christians. Followers will rarely achieve greater heights than those their leader is willing to climb. He must be called. Here we tread upon mysterious, yet holy, ground, in that a perfect and righteous God puts it into the heart of certain men to come to the forefront of the battle and lead a division of His Army. God works through men to accomplish His tasks, and He calls these to be full-time conduits of His work. Those who are not called yet step forward are subject to Divine Discipline for their actions just as if a soldier stepped out of ranks when not told to. He must be convinced. He must be convinced that the Scriptures are the basis of all he should say or do. He must be convinced that his Service to the Saints is a mission of greatest importance and urgency. He must be convinced that his Summons to Service is straight from the Heavenly Headquarters and from our Captain Himself. He must be convinced that the Salvation of Souls is his greatest responsibility. He must have a cause. Just as David before facing the giant, he must acknowledge that this is greater than a single skirmish in time, but is a war upon which all eternity may be changed. Souls may be lost forever if the preacher lays down his sword. Satan may prey upon the weaker Christians if the preacher is not ever vigilant at his task. |
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