A teenager asked me that question several years ago. She was interested in knowing just how I, and preachers generally, occupied the time on an “average day.” The joke has been used on me that as a preacher I have it made: “…Must be nice to work four hours a week.” Sadly, I have known some “jackleg” preachers–unindustrious and unmotivated, unreasonable and unapproachable, and for these reasons just plain unlikable!
Some preachers seem to stay in the eye of the storm in the local church. They stir up trouble and controversy, whether seeking to loose or bind where they have no business. Some ride hobby horses! Some seem to be ever involved in “career building” and posturing. Some even give indication that they see preaching primarily as simply the way they make a living.
It is unpleasant to suggest that some preachers do their work with less than honorable motives, though motivation problems for preachers are almost as old as the church (Philippians 1:15ff). Some day, Christ will determine whose motives are straight and whose are not (cf. Matthew 25:31ff).
The better question may be, “What should a preacher do?” Paul admonishes Timothy, “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). This is actually a second series of injunctions, following his encouragement to the young preacher to “Preacher the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Does the New Testament tell us what “the work of an evangelist” is? It does! First, “the work of an evangelist” is inherent in that name he wears. He is an “evangelist.” That is derived from the word “euaggelizo,” meaning to “announce the good news; to declare and bring glad tidings.” How he does this is through a lifetime of study of the whole Bible and a daily study of specific portions of the Bible. Where he does this is publicly and privately. When he does this is in the assembly, the classroom, in people’s homes, or wherever he can impart the word.
Second, “the work of an evangelist” is expanded in the context. Doing that work is to “fulfill” his “ministry” (here, special service). It is a ministry involving three basic elements: reproof (correct, convince, tell a fault), rebuke (censure, charge, forbid), and exhortation (encouragement, comfort, and consoling).
Third, “the work of an evangelist” involves an underlying attitude. He may have to endure hardships, slights, and unkindness from those who do not want to hear his message. He must “watch…in all things” (one version says, “keep your head in all situations”). In other words, a preacher’s message can be harmed by poor methodology. Even when dealing with the ill-tempered, the combative, and the mean-spirited, he must stay cool. He must develop the wisdom to let his “speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that” he “may know how” he “should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:6).
The preacher is called by God to preach and evangelize. He is to encourage with every opportunity. He is to correct and instruct. He is to endure the difficult and keep his head at all times. All this implies that he must be among and around both the lost and the people of God. A preacher who takes this work seriously will help the church to grow! — Neal Pollard
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