THE LEADERSHIP OF PREACHERS - Part I

It has been said that "as goes the home, so goes the nation." It is also true that "as goes the preacher, so goes the church." The influence of homes is being felt each day in our society. Please remember that influence will be either good or bad. An influence that claims to be "neutral" is not worth a thing! It was Jesus who forthrightly declared, "He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth" (Matthew 12:30). Thus, a preacher is definitely going to influence the congregation with which he labors. His influence and leadership will play a role in folks taking either the high road that leads to Heaven or the low road that leads to eternal torment.

Godly elders always come to mind when one thinks of the true leaders (shepherds) of the congregation. Elders who are scripturally qualified (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) are God's leaders (overseers, pastors) of the flock. It may be that a preacher meets those qualifications and has also been selected by the congregation to serve as an elder. If not, the preacher is subject to the decisions of godly elders just as are all other members of the congregation. But by the very nature of his council, teaching, preaching and influence, a preacher is cast into a very important leadership role.

Marvin L. Weir