“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:1-5). With these words, Paul gave Timothy one of the most solemn charges ever given among men. Though I preached my first sermon about 26 years ago, hearing that charge today still stirs my heart.
One of the works that is nearest to my heart is teaching men how to “preach the word” and “do the work of an evangelist.” Such work is dear to me, in part, because of the appreciation I have for those who taught me. Early in life, I was blessed by God to have the opportunity to be in a Preacher Training Program where I sat at the feet of Johnie Edwards as he taught me how to “preach…the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8).
Of course, the content of my preaching and teaching is founded upon the Christ and His gospel (1 Cor. 3:11). Yet, the means and methods I employ in preaching and teaching have their roots in a basement classroom of the meeting place of the Ellettsville church of Christ where, in 1992, I was a part of the Preacher Training Program taught by my good friend Johnie.
Churches that involve themselves in this work hold a special place in my heart. Why? First, the work they are doing is Scriptural (Ac. 13:1-3; Eph. 4:11-16). Second, the work they are doing is needed! Such groups of God’s people know that for souls to be saved, there must first be a preacher preaching the gospel of Christ (Rom. 10:13-15). Our land is facing an impending scarcity of sound, able, and faithful gospel preachers. The only way this will be remedied is by men being encouraged to be preachers of the gospel and being taught how to “do the work of an evangelist.” Had it not been for the Preacher Training Program at Ellettsville, I doubt that I would be preaching today. Third, the work they are doing is work! Unfortunately, there are not many congregations that are willing to put forth the effort and do the work needed to have a class like this. Congregationally, the church will spend time and money preparing for this work. Individually, the members (acting as individuals) will house and feed the students for the duration of the program. Though much work is involved, every church I know of that has been involved in the work of preacher training is encouraged by the things that are done. I appreciate churches that undertake the work of preacher training, putting the work of the Lord His kingdom’s benefit above themselves. I appreciate the church at Samaria for their work in this!
To God’s glory, my goal in preacher training is to help some of my brothers in Christ the same way Johnie helped me. That is why I am so passionate about preacher training: now I teach students the things he taught me so that they can teach others. It is even as the older preacher Paul told the younger preacher Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
David Eldridge