Advice to Would Be Preachers

As one who was preaching, it was natural that those who felt called to preach might want to come and seek some kind of guidance.  My advice to any would be preacher was always the same, "If there is anything else you think you can do and be happy, go and do it."  Perhaps, it sounds like a harsh word from someone who has made the choice and would be pleased to see others walking those same steps in response to God's call on their life, but it was simply my way of leading them forward.  Saying "yes" to a call to preach, or a call to ministry is not for the spiritually fainthearted.   

Actually, it is a choice that will surely stretch personal faith to the breaking point.  The preacher will find it difficult to have friends within the congregation lest the cry be raised of favoritism.  And any preacher should remember the axiom, "No good deed goes unpunished," and its offspring, "No matter how much good you do, it will bring down costly consequences."   While I did not mean to be discouraging to those who felt called, anyone who thinks it is a choice which leads down an easy road has not really looked and counted the cost.   

More than anything else I sought to tell some would be preacher to be sure.  When preachers step into the pulpit it needs to be as one who is not looking back at anything else anymore.  The ministy requires a commitment to serve where no one will applaud, to give when nothing will be given in return, and to be slapped not just on one cheek once but again and again.  So, why would anyone with any sense heed the call?  The only reason to heed the call is because God has issued it and though it makes no sense, saying "yes" to God's whatever is all faith will allow.