What are the challenges facing a christian preacher?

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   owhorspecialposted 12 years ago

   What are the challenges facing a christian preacher?

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   liftandsoarposted 12 years ago

   The greatest challenge is to stay close to God by not confusing his work for Him.  We preachers tend to assume we're close to God if we are doing his work.  Not so. Witness the many preachers who have subconsciuosly justified embezzling and womanizing on the grounds that they are doing the work of God.
   
   A preacher is just another sinner saved by God's grace in Christ.  The minute he forgets that, he betrays both his Lord and the Lord's people.

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      owhorspecialposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      And also preachers should know that they are servants of God, not masters with God,They should be willing to serve the people they preach to also.

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   Chris Nealposted 12 years ago

   I think the biggest challenge facing any christian preacher is how to get people to see the Bible as relevant in their lives. So many churches are doing so many things in an attempt to stay "relevant" that sometimes the base message of the Bible gets completely lost.
   The 'Candorville' comic strip actually had a good one a few weeks ago, where a preacher is being confronted by one of the elderly members of his congregation. The elder goes through a list of 'old-school' morality points that the elders want to see in the church, and the reverend responds that he missed the class in school about churches dying a slow, painful death. It's possible to make the church so accepting that people forget that God actually wants us to behave in certain ways, but it's also difficult in this modern, post-Christian world to convince people that there are reasons for behaving in certain ways!
   Time to lean on God more than ever!

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      owhorspecialposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Made a Hub about this Question and You and all who answered this question are on it...Plz check it out and drop a comment.

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   Rev. Akinsposted 12 years ago

   The greatest challenge I am facing right now is knowing I am not alone. Too many times it feels like I am preaching the Word and people politely listen and then go about their lives the way they want to anyway. I understand it is all about God, I just want to feel like there are people who are willing to help me on this journey. It is very lonely as a pastor. Lots of people see the pastor as someone who is superhuman, who does not need the basic care of other people. This also leads to a greater loss of trust when the pastor does act in a human (and sometimes stupid) manner. Pastors are people too.

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      owhorspecialposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Love your answer...Rev. Akins

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      A true brother. Read 'Dignity And Duties of A Priest.' It is designed to help all men and women of God. Also try: the Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis. They are on Amazon. Pray hard and remeber that it is God who is in charge, not you. Be sinc

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   owhorspecialposted 12 years ago

   I think many preachers don't live what they preach...As a Christian You could give a sermon for 30 minutes or more but your life does the preaching. They don't show love, patience or faith.

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      liftandsoarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well of course. We are sinners like the rest of mankind.  Example we're called to set is not one of perfection but of applying God's grace to our imperfections... as in honestly confessing our sin, seeking forgiveness from God and leaning on Him.

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   Vegas Eliasposted 12 years ago

   The greatest challenge facing a christian preacher is that he is supposed to preach so many things he himself finds difficult to believe.

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      liftandsoarposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I've never found any biblical teaching difficult to believe.  Preachers who don't believe should find something else to do.

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Strange but true. Let faith come first, followed by prayer and service

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   manatita44posted 11 years ago

   All challenges begin within: Lust is a big one for most men. Then there is ego, greed, attachment, anger and so forth. The saints call them cardinal sins. Purity is a big thing for preachers because they are sometimes charismatic and will draw large crowds. Protecting ones inner purity is important from the word 'go'.
   
   Gratitude to the Supreme is essential to avoid the enlargement of ego. "Lord, it is not I who is doing it, for it is Your work. I am all gratitude to you for granting me the capacity to preach and also allowing me some of your children to listen to me. Do make me - if it is Your Will - a worthy channel of Your Light."

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