What is meant by "Surrendering to Preach"?

[Speedpass]

Does it mean that you should spend the rest of your life doing nothing other than preaching, or is there something else involved?

 

[Alcott]

I think it's a poorly defined term of no value. It implies one must preach against one's will, when it is only by one's will that one can and does preach.

 

[mont974x4]

I don't have any real problem with the phrase. I think it is just one way to express the idea of total to submission to what God has called us to. In this case, it is to preach.

1Co 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.
1Co 9:17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. (NASB)


Paul often talks of being a bond servant and prisoner for Christ. Recognizing that we are bought and paid for servants of the Almighty God is essential. Jesus is not just Savior. He is also Lord.

 

[Speedpass]

Here are my interpretations of this phrase:
1) Men must make a specific, public decision to enter pulpit ministry as they have also made a specific, public decision to be saved.
2) Once you make this specific, public decision, there is no turning back from it.
3) Preaching is on a special high level of service--higher than being a missionary, minister of music, worship leader, Sunday school teacher, deacon, minister of youth, minister of education, et al.
4) Does "preaching" imply the pastorate, or could it also imply other areas of service like vocational evangelism, itenerant evangelism, nursing home ministry, church planting, etc?
5) In many areas of the US where churches cannot afford to pay the pastor a full-time salary, would God make an allowance for bivocational ministers to serve Him faithfully(this seems to be the case for the majority of Southern Baptist congregations in North Central Mississippi--with the exception of the "First Baptist" churches in county seats, the largest cities, the few "megachurches" abounding in our area, and alot of congregations in the two towns that claim SEC universities)?

 

[mont974x4]

Here are my interpretations of this phrase:
1) Men must make a specific, public decision to enter pulpit ministry as they have also made a specific, public decision to be saved. Agreed. This is a basic part of the pastor search process. Explain your conversion. Explain your call.
2) Once you make this specific, public decision, there is no turning back from it.Agreed. Once putting your hand to the plow there is no turning back. Be sure of your call. Count the cost. Walk then in bold obedience.
3) Preaching is on a special high level of service--higher than being a missionary, minister of music, worship leader, Sunday school teacher, deacon, minister of youth, minister of education, et al. It is a fearful thing to consider the accountability that awaits pastors, but also all those who teach. I'm not sure I'd separate them as you did, even though I understand why you did.
4) Does "preaching" imply the pastorate, or could it also imply other areas of service like vocational evangelism, itenerant evangelism, nursing home ministry, church planting, etc?Preaching is preachin. The location/venue does not change that.
5) In many areas of the US where churches cannot afford to pay the pastor a full-time salary, would God make an allowance for bivocational ministers to serve Him faithfully(this seems to be the case for the majority of Southern Baptist congregations in North Central Mississippi--with the exception of the "First Baptist" churches in county seats, the largest cities, the few "megachurches" abounding in our area, and alot of congregations in the two towns that claim SEC universities)?

There is nothing wrong with being bi-vocational. Many pastors here on BB believe God has called them to that kind of situation. The Apostle Paul did work to pay his way as much as possible. Conversely, I see no reason to say all pastors must be bi-vocational.

 

[12strings]

Here are my interpretations of this phrase:
1) Men must make a specific, public decision to enter pulpit ministry as they have also made a specific, public decision to be saved.

-true, although for some, it is more of a process, as they may be unsure about a call to preach for some amount of time, and take some time to test their gifts by teaching SS, or preaching occasionally when their pastor is out of town...and then of course some know by middle school they want to preach.

2) Once you make this specific, public decision, there is no turning back from it.

I would say there ARE valid instances in which the call to regular preaching may be for only a season of life...after which God may call a man to some other vocation in which he can serve God.

3) Preaching is on a special high level of service--higher than being a missionary, minister of music, worship leader, Sunday school teacher, deacon, minister of youth, minister of education, et al.

-How is preaching higher than being a missionary, and does't being a missionary involve preaching?
-Also, we must be careful not to say that one who preaches is on a higher Christian plane than a faithful Christian husband and father who works as a mechanic. God's calling on each is being fulfilled.

4) Does "preaching" imply the pastorate, or could it also imply other areas of service like vocational evangelism, itenerant evangelism, nursing home ministry, church planting, etc?

-Yes

5) In many areas of the US where churches cannot afford to pay the pastor a full-time salary, would God make an allowance for bivocational ministers to serve Him faithfully(this seems to be the case for the majority of Southern Baptist congregations in North Central Mississippi--with the exception of the "First Baptist" churches in county seats, the largest cities, the few "megachurches" abounding in our area, and alot of congregations in the two towns that claim SEC universities)?

I agree that there is no need for an "allowance", as there is nothing to apologize for, except in the case of a church that should be able to support a full-time pastor, but doesn't due to stinginess. The Bivocational pastor himself is not doing less of a work than a full-time pastor...in many cases, he is simply getting paid less.

 

[Jkdbuck76]

I dunno. It was either RC Sproul or Paul Washer who had a rant about this.
Or was it Gregg Locke?

I'm too old to remember. Sorry kids.

***Maybe if more people "surrendered to tithing" or "bible reading" or "praying" we'd all be better off!