Truth Magazine

By Brent Hunter

A few months ago members of the church of Christ in Pekin, Indiana, were somewhat bewildered when the phrase, “Brent is coming, ” began to appear in their bulletin. It was not until several weeks after it appeared that a full explanation was given that the elders had hired a student to work with the congregation for the Summer. Upon my arrival I was greeted with, “Oh, so you’re Brent!” My summer at Pekin had begun. We all worked hard together and kept busy; consequently, the time flew by quickly and now I can hardly believe that my stay with the Pekin Church is over. It all seems like a fleeting memory as I now attempt to evaluate my stay there. So much can and needs to be said. I now, for the first time, truly appreciate the words of the apostle Paul, when he said. to the young preacher, Timothy: “I thank Jesus Christ our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me in His service” (1 Tim. 1:12).

Many churches are now trying to decide whether it would be profitable for them to hire a young preacher to work with them for the Summer or on a longer basis. Many churches are already using such a program. The duration of their stay has ranged anywhere from two months to two years. If you have not ever considered the merits of such a program, or would just like to know more about its possibilities, then read on. The program’s effectiveness at Pekin will be evaluated from two viewpoints. This article is from the young preacher’s viewpoint and the corresponding article on the opposite page is from the local preacher’s standpoint.

An Overview

First of all, let me say it will be a worthwhile investment, if you are willing to plan for the program and utilize the available time wisely. It is my conviction that if a project such as this fails, it is not because the ones involved planned to fail, but because somehow they failed to plan. You will get out of the project exactly what you put into it! The benefits that can be attained through this type of program are worth giving great consideration. Let us .begin by talking about some of the advantages available to the universal church, the local church and also the young preacher.

Advantages to the Universal Church

There are three important advantages that need to be considered: (1) We have all been hearing about the preacher shortage, both in number and quality. It would be a tremendous service to the Lord’s kingdom if men could be encouraged to preach via this means and help remedy this situation. (2) The Lord’s body has been split and splintered many times since its restoration. At a time when we are once again under attack and wrestling with various isspes, the added stability given younger preachers by their association with men that have preached for a few years cannot be underestimated. It could very well prove to be an invaluable aid in maintaining the purity of the New Testament church. (3) I believe the program helps to strengthen the local congregation, and as each local church is built up, the universal church is made just that much stronger.

Advantages to the Local Church

There are a multitude of things that could be listed here, but once again I have decided to list what I see as the three most important: (1) The general spirituality of the congregation will be enhanced with “new blood” being brought into the work. (2) The members will be able to hear different and varied preaching while the local preacher is free to do more good old New Testament evangelism. Additional home studies, personal work programs, and correspondence can be undertaken. New innovations are also made possible. A good example of this was the booth the Pekin church had at the County Fair. The elders at Pekin planned to have the booth while I was there so I could help with this new project. (3) Another big advantage is that it should prove to be especially helpful in building a fire under the teen-age group in any congregation. Enthusiasm is contagious!

Advantages to the Prospective Preacher

This is the area that I feel most qualified to comment on. I can personally testify to the help it has given me as a Christian and a young preacher of the gospel. It has caused me to grow ever closer to Him, and I could never put a price tag on something of that nature. The three basic advantages I see for the young preacher are as follows: (1) Many begin preaching, get discouraged and quit. This Summer program lets beginning preachers know what to expect before they get into it full-time. (2) It gives him experience to work with (in most cases) a church with elders. This is an invaluable experience. (3) It enables him to work with a more experienced preacher which will help him get and stay on the right track. He is given invaluable pointers on sermon preparation, the writing and assembling of the bulletin, and in what books he should begin to add to his library. Surely, it is a very worthy endeavor to help train and assist young preachers in beginning a life of service to the Lord.

How To Begin

We all know how important first impressions are. As soon as possible after arrival, have a meeting with the elders. The elders should get a calendar and basically let the young preacher know what is expected of him. Things such as when he is to preach, when and how many articles he needs to prepare for the bulletin, what classes he is expected to teach, etc. Naturally it should be kept flexible, but this session is a must. The time will fly and usually if this is not done, many things you had thought about doing will never become a reality. This meeting should be of great help to him also in that he can plan accordingly and not find himself swamped one day and little to do the next. In the meeting you might make it clear you understand that he is new and you do not expect perfection. If possible, encourage him to preach as many different types of sermons as possible. A purely topical type of approach should be avoided. Encourage some expository preaching.

Conclusion

I have heard it once said that there are seven words which will kill the church: ‘We’ve never done it that way before.” Be careful of falling into this trap. New things can and often are taken to an extreme. This program, however, is a scriptural and effective program to build up the church. Consider its possibilities! It is a noble endeavor to help train young men effectively to preach the word. If ever there was a worthwhile investment of the Lord’s money, this is one. It is a worthy endeavor.

Truth Magazine XIX: 11, pp. 169-170
January 23, 1975

By Bob Buchanon

How would you like to add new zest and enthusiasm in the local work? How would you like to do that while at the same time be assisting a student develop as a preacher of the gospel? Do you have some money that you would be willing to invest into a great program like this? Are you interested? If so, then we hope you will consider this article carefully.

The Pekin Church, with which I am in my fourth year of labors, tried such a program this past Summer. We have received letters and calls from many preachers and elders about this program after reading of it in The Pekin Bulletin. At the request of Cecil Willis, the student preacher and I are submitting two articles to give more details on this program.

Why a Student?

There were some questions in the minds of some of the brethren here, as well as at other places, when this program was first mentioned. Many members wondered whether this arrangement would work. It did not take but a very short time to see that it would work and that there was more than enough work for both preachers to do.

By trying this program for the Summer, this church had a good part in helping to train and develop a young preacher in using his talents for the Kingdom. This is an important part of a church’s work and the Lord will reward our efforts. It does not matter how much time has been spent in the classroom in trying to learn the “ups and downs” of preaching, one has to get in the pulpit to “try it out.” Experience is one of the greatest teachers. This program gives the student an opportunity to find out what preaching is really all about.

Too many young men have started preaching, only to get discouraged after the first few months, and then quit preaching completely. Most of them were unaware of what to expect. This program really initiates one. It lets a young man decide if he will be happy as a preacher. We do not need to burden the cause of Christ with more half-dedicated, professionally minded “clergymen.” The church does not need men who are trying to “better themselves” as preachers. We need men who are so filled with determination to preach God’s Word, for the salvation of the souls that they love, that self is lost in an all-out effort to further the Cause of Christ.

These student preachers are in a unique position to be especially helpful to perplexed young people in the congregation facing unbelievable problems and pressures in our society. The younger men can understand the feelings that the students are going through. Many of the young people feel that they can relate better to one that is still in college and facing many of these same problems.

Planning Such a Program

Many brethren have inquired about how to plan such an arrangement with a student preacher. The first step is to inquire around and try to find someone who is qualified. There may be a young man in the .local congregation that needs this kind of encouragement and opportunity. If not, there may be someone from a congregation nearby. If neither of these are possibilities, then I would suggest to do what the elders here at Pekin did; get recommendations on a second or third year student from Florida College. .You should not have any trouble in finding an interested student.

The next step is to decide on salary, housing, etc. This will vary with each congregation. The elders at Pekin made an agreement with Brother Brent Hunter to pay a weekly check plus a set amount to be allotted in books for his library. Housing often depends upon the young man’s personality. If practical and housing is available, you might want him to stay with the preacher. If this is not feasible, then find a family with whom he would feel comfortable. Be sure to secure a family that understands the need of semi-privacy and quietness so that he can study. Do not forget to include in your budget to pay the preacher’s wife or member’s wife for room and board during the time that she will be keeping him. An apartment has been used by other congregations, but most of the young men that I have talked with have explained that it gets quite lonely.

One of the most important things about planning such a program as this is to plan it early. .If this program interests you, start today in making contacts with prospects for the Summer. Don’t wait until the middle of May and expect to find someone ready to move there and work in June. The earlier you can make a commitment, the more time you will have to ,”get acquainted.” If a student is chosen from another congregation or from Florida College, then start writing him and becoming friends. If the church publishes a bulletin, then add his name to the mailing list so he can start showing interest in the local work. You might find it helpful to have him send a bulletin article to be published shortly before he arrives. Get his picture and put it on the bulletin board. In this way, everyone will be excited ‘about his coming and recognize him when he first arrives.

What Does He Do?

This, too, will depend upon each congregation. He can be used in teaching Bible classes, both publicly and privately, in preaching, in assisting with the bulletin, radio, newspaper articles, etc. One of the important things that a congregation must remember is not to be selfish during the Summer with two preachers–allow one of them to be away. There are many rural congregations around without preachers that would be thrilled to have someone to preach for them. Many elders develop the feeling that the work of spreading Truth must be limited to the four walls of their building. This ought not to be. Allow and even encourage more opportunities of preaching. I know of one congregation that was using such a program as this and since the young preacher would be there, the elders sent the “local” preacher to assist in door-to-door work in Canada.

One of the most important things that the student preacher needs to do is study. You can not preach well what you do not know well. You can not know it well unless you have studied it well. A preacher needs to spend much time in his study, giving attention to the things of the gospel. Paul said to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13). Also, to “meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Tim.4:15).

Conclusion

In speaking from experience, this is a wonderful program. Let it be remembered, however, that this young man is not coming to work for you, but with you. Are you interested? If so, start today contacting those students that would be interested! This program might even inspire some of your local men to devote their lives to gospel preaching.

Truth Magazine XIX: 11, pp. 168-169
January 23, 1975

By Jimmy Tuten, Jr.

Several years ago a network television news report told of a large East Coast city housing development that was abandoned because of the apparent unstableness of the foundation. The houses had hardly been completed and occupied when it was discovered that the earth beneath them was not stable. Efforts to institute intensive reinforcements failed. The entire housing development had to be given up and people who had invested their life savings in new homes had to take enormous losses simply because their houses had no adequate foundation. This illustrates the fact that a house with inadequate foundation is utterly worthless. Engineering books will tell you that a weak steel girder can be strengthened; if a column is found to be inadequate it may be reinforced; but if a foundation yields unevenly and ruptures, then little can be done to improve the situation.

This is a modern counterpart to the profound conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Here are the words of Jesus: “therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof” (Matt. 7:24-27).

The main point and the real point that Jesus was concerned with is the fact that our lives are like houses. They bear an analogy to houses. When Jesus uttered these words He knew that some who heard him, even though they were astonished at His doctrine and listened with interest, would not have their lives changed. Many would forget all that they had heard. They would relapse into their old ways. Jesus knew it would be so and forewarns them of the danger. So it is today. The Word of God must be obeyed. The obedient hearer is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. His religion is real, deep and true. Temptation might come, maybe even suffering and persecution. Sooner or later, there would be some pain of body or anguish of soul. In all of this the house that hath foundations, the house built upon the rock, will not be shaken. It standeth sure. With the careless hearer the story is different. He is a foolish man whose house is built upon sand. There is no obedience in his life, no self-denial and no reality. Such a house cannot stand.

Friend, storms and floods come into every man’s life. There is the storm of unexpected disaster or the flood that comes more gradually but puts the foundation to a test slowly but inevitably. Only one thing matters-having one’s life situated on a solid foundation. That solid foundation is the Word of God.

The Word of God teaches that there is no other foundation “than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). The church as the household of God is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). It is “rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith” (Col. 2:7). All who are willing to obey the gospel can be founded upon Christ (2 These. 1:7-9; Rom. 1:1617). The believer must obey the gospel by being baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:17, 1-6). He must live a life of obedience. May each of our lives be built upon this foundation.

Truth Magazine XIX: 11, p. 167
January 23, 1975

By A. C. Grider

This article would be too long if I were to try to tell you what I do not know about the Holy Spirit. Besides, I can not tell you what I do not know about it; for I do not know what all I do not know. So I am setting forth a few things that I do know concerning the Holy Spirit.

I know, that the Holy Spirit is not an “it” or “an influence” or “the mind of God” or “the New Testament.” Rather, the New Testament, and the Old Testament, as well, plainly set forth that the Holy Spirit is a person. Attributes ascribed to the Holy Spirit belong only to a person or persons. For instance, The Holy Spirit has knowledge. This is declared in 1 Cor. 2:10-11. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God. But the Holy Spirit wills to do certain things (1 Cor. 12:11). And the Holy Spirit has a mind (Rom. 8:27). Persons know, and will, and have a mind. Hence the Holy Spirit is a person.

The actions of the Holy Spirit declare in no uncertain terms that He is a person. The Holy Spirit hears (John 16:13); He speaks (1 Tim. 4:1); and he makes intercession (Rom. 8:26-27). But a person can hear and speak and make intercession. So, I repeat, the Holy Spirit is a person.

I know that the Holy Spirit has a sword and that this sword is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). It is evident, therefore, that the Spirit works through the word.

I know that to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 9:18-19) is the same as letting the word dwell in us (Col. 3:16). These are parallel passages, as everyone can plainly see.

I know that God dwells in us. The Bible tells me so (1 John 4:13, 15). But I also know that Christ dwells in us (Eph. 3:17). The Bible tells me that the Holy Spirit also dwells in us (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 3:16).

I know that Christ dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17). In the absence of any teaching to the contrary, I know that the Holy Spirit as well as God also dwells in our hearts by faith.

I know the Holy Spirit testifies (John 15:26), but that he testifies through the word (John 5:39). I know the Holy Spirit saves (Titus 3:5), but that he saves through the Word (Jas. 1:21). I know the Holy Spirit teaches (1 Cor. 2:13), but that he teaches through the word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). I know the Holy Spirit comforts (Acts 9:31), but that he comforts through the word (1 Thes. 4:18). I know I could go on and on showing that whatever the Holy Spirit does, he does it through the word. I know, therefore that while the Holy Spirit works, he works only through the word of God. And I know that while the Holy Spirit dwells in us, he does so only through the word of God.

I know that a lot of people are doing a lot of speculating about the Holy Spirit and his words and his deeds. But I know that we had better confine our teaching concerning the Holy Spirit to just what the Bible says on the subject and give more heed to what we should do to obey our Heavenly Father than what He (The Holy Spirit) has done, is doing, or shall do.

Let us all strive to be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:19), to be led of the Spirit (Gal. 5:18), and to walk after the Spirit (Rom. 8:1). But let us be reminded that we can accomplish this if we will follow the teachings of the New Testament.

Truth Magazine XIX: 11, p. 166
January 23, 1975