Identifying Pulpit Teachers for PCC

2 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  

(NIV) And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

The primary role of a pastor is to maintain the purity of God’s Word, effectively teach it to the congregation, AND pass it on to the next generation intact.  I must do all that I can to identify “faithful men” and “reliable people” who can become godly teachers for our church.  If the church is weak, it’s because of weak teaching.  It’s my job to ensure we have strong teachers.

1.  In choosing others I have to be selective.  They must be proven “faithful” and “able to teach others also.”  Some pastors spend an inordinate amount of time with problem-plagued people who aren’t faithful.  Certainly those people need much love and tenderness, but unless they become faithful they will never make a difference for the cause of Christ.  While I never want to be insensitive to the needs of others, I do want to pour myself into those who will make a difference – those who are faithful and reliable.

2.  In choosing others I have to find those who will make other teachers.  Paul wanted Timothy to be a teacher-maker, and that’s what I want to be.  Beyond the issue of a man’s character is the issue of his giftedness to teach.  I have the gift of teaching and it’s the gift I seek to develop in others who possess it.

The Sunday morning pulpit is not a place for thrill-seekers, spare-time hobbyists, or those greedy of lucre.  The pulpit is a place where God’s Word is communicated, sound doctrine is taught, the church is guided, and God’s people are fed.  This position is reserved for those who understand the calling.