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servants -> Young Preachers (4/28/2008 4:00:15 PM)

I'm on the pulpit commity at our church. We brought in a young preacher at the age of 30 to preach for a month. The majority of the church really likes him. He preaches the word and is very smart in the bible. But we have a few that say they think he is to young to be a good leader. We have a good church with all ages. We are a SBC. Myself I'am 45 years old and I really like him, but I won't to do what is best for the church. If God called him to preach who are we to say he is not capable to handle it. We are a small church of around 180 to 200 people. Thanks



earthless -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 4:16:14 PM)

You're right in your assertions. I started to lead Sunday school classes at 17 and started preaching twice a month (Sunday mornings) at the latter part of being 18. I then was associate pastor from the age of 20 till 28.

People have always said I am an "old soul" and that my knowledge of the Word, of apologetics, hermeneutics is not readily seen at such a young age. I am now 30 and hopefully a little more wiser and mature than when I was 17 at the pulpit - reading your remarks on how him being 30 is too young is a bit funny and unsettling for me.

Please do know I did not say any of the above in pride or to boast - but to simply, as a fellow brother in the Lord, let others know that God does and can use a young person to preach His Word.

I will say this - the elders of the church do need to make sure they are discipling and helping him to grow in the Word and grow in maturity as a man. I hope there are solid role models for him to be mentored by and that he is well informed that it is a GRAND privilege to even be allowed to utter anything in regards to God and His holy Word.

One of the things a mentor of mine (that has since passed to be with the Lord) said, "the true test of a man, of a his character is not what he does when he knows people are watching... but what does he do when he thinks no one is watching."



Consecrated2God -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 4:23:58 PM)

My husband took his first pastorate a couple of months ago, at the age of thirty. I know some of the people were a little hesitant to vote him in because he is so young, but he is doing really well and they are quite pleased with him. Paul told Timothy to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth. If he meets all the other qualifications for pastoring, age shouldn't make much of a difference.



rcjames -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 4:29:37 PM)

The Apostle Paul had something to say to a young preacher;


(1Ti 4:12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

And this young man {Timothy) had much authority in that he was sent to appoint Elders.

Thanks
RC



1love1God1way -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 4:35:17 PM)

Jeremiah 1

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew [a] you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."

7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant."

God is still raising up Jeremiahs.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 7:43:15 PM)

Thirty? That's not bad! What really scares me is churches that let little boys, ages 5 to 16, preach in the pulpit! An intelligent, educated 30-year-old can handle a pastorate, if that 30-year-old is intelligent enough to recognize that they don't know everything and that they will need help.



earthless -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 7:48:50 PM)

Like THIS? Or THIS?

For good measure:

And this is the one that everyone has to see!



armydude -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 7:56:56 PM)

A question for the OP. What age is the appropriate age for starting as a pastor?



lightshineon -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:06:55 PM)

Our pastor turns thirty May second. He has been senior pastor for three years. He is married, has a baby. He is good. Thirty is not that young, in the sceam of things. I have seen him mature, and still is. He has older elders to look too for advice. He looks fifteen though, seriously.



earthless -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:08:13 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lightshineon
He looks fifteen though, seriously.


Whew... thank the good Lord I don't. [8D]



lightshineon -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:09:40 PM)

I bet you do.[:)]
quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

quote:

ORIGINAL: lightshineon
He looks fifteen though, seriously.


Whew... thank the good Lord I don't. [8D]



earthless -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:11:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lightshineon

I bet you do.[:)]



More like 25.... [:D]



armydude -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:12:09 PM)

I remember one day last year when someone told me I looked like I was barely in my 20's. I was flattered. I had just turned 35 when this was said.

Then a few weeks ago, someone guessed my age at mid to late 40's. I'm thinking, geez... musta been tired that day.



lightshineon -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:18:06 PM)

Been told I look like my daughters sister, yeah,[8|] not seeing me in mornings, without war paint. Age is a good thing in many ways, in the pastor world.If someone is to old they can be set in their ways, and to young can, not respect theold ways.



earthless -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 8:21:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: lightshineon

Been told I look like my daughters sister, yeah,[8|] not seeing me in mornings, without war paint. Age is a good thing in many ways, in the pastor world.If someone is to old they can be set in their ways, and to young can, not respect theold ways.


Heh, I guess I am really an odd one. I was the 20 year old associate pastor that brought back hymnals, an organ, and hymns to Sunday morning worship. We ended up having a nice blend of CCM and classics mix and matched for worship.

It was a fight that took a while to get through to the older members.



lightshineon -> RE: Young Preachers (4/28/2008 10:12:20 PM)

LOL
quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless

quote:

ORIGINAL: lightshineon

Been told I look like my daughters sister, yeah,[8|] not seeing me in mornings, without war paint. Age is a good thing in many ways, in the pastor world.If someone is to old they can be set in their ways, and to young can, not respect theold ways.


Heh, I guess I am really an odd one. I was the 20 year old associate pastor that brought back hymnals, an organ, and hymns to Sunday morning worship. We ended up having a nice blend of CCM and classics mix and matched for worship.

It was a fight that took a while to get through to the older members.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Young Preachers (4/29/2008 11:15:25 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: earthless
Like THIS? Or THIS?

For good measure:

And this is the one that everyone has to see!

Those little boys, as little boys, are so cute, so huggable, and are good actors/emulators, but that's all. When I was a child, I did the same things as entertainment for my family and their friends, and I was very good at it, but I knew it was an act, and they knew it was an act. Those congregations that swallow their acts on a serious basis are, uh -- interesting. But I also see it as just another evidence of the churched population looking for entertainment rather than the Word and true worship.

But while I, as a "senior citizen," do not see 30 as too young for a wise and educated pastor, I know that many people my age would have a struggle, and some would clearly rebel. I have seen it. My parents did it years ago when some people who used to be my friends became their pastoring family. My parents went completely off the wall, were visibly angry, treated them disrespectfully the whole time they were their pastoring family, and my mother even lied about them -- several times! Some people simply cannot handle such things, but when they can't, it is a heart-issue, and it's usually not the young pastor's heart-issue.



servants -> RE: Young Preachers (4/29/2008 8:57:30 PM)

Thanks to all that have posted.



artemis -> RE: Young Preachers (4/29/2008 9:11:37 PM)

My husband is almost 28 and has been pastoring a very small church for just over a year. The number 1 complaint about him is that he's too young and doesn't have enough "life experience" to be a preacher. No one has had a problem with anything he has said, they just don't think he's old enough to preach.



BibleL7 -> RE: Young Preachers (4/29/2008 11:18:07 PM)

Figured I might add my pennies worth on this. The questions for the choosing is how is his character. You say he is married and has a child for that look to whether that relationship follows Scriptures. Another concern would be has he been a minister under a pastor or does he have experience as an associate pastor. Ask his pastor about him. And of course pray and see if there are any reasons that the congregation would reject him other than age. Of course make sure his doctrine is right for the congregation. Then if you believe he is called of the Lord to lead see if he has a servant's heart. Remember the Lord said a leader must be servant of all. The basics of that is will he do what needs to be done to help the church. Does he feel he is above picking up garbage after the service or helping clean the church. And does he have a heart to teach and exhort and comfort and train the congregation not just preach every Sunday. These are what you should be concerned about rather than age, cause even some of the older preachers are not right if their hearts are not right for the congregation. Remember a Pastor is to shepherd which means to care that the flock is fed and in right relationship.

Just the opinion of a small town preacher



justjennhere -> RE: Young Preachers (4/30/2008 9:57:26 AM)

My husband was 24 when he was called as senior pastor to our first church. He graduated with his masters degree from seminary and turned 25 that next month. He was diligent in his studies, from high school on, and was always involved in ministry from the age of eighteen (preaching weekly in retirement communities, under the supervision of a senior pastor at his home church), so as to be as prepared as possible to serve in a pastoral capacity, even at his young age.

While searching for a place to serve, we found that many churches prefer older gentlemen without education or experience over a "boy preacher" with education and experience. Life experience does count for something, I agree, BUT God can and does work through young pastors who are just starting out. I would be more concerned about his character and his Biblical qualifications than I would be about his age. There are plenty of men in the midlife stage of their lives who would be far less qualified to shepherd a flock than a young man just out of seminary.



PrincessDonna -> RE: Young Preachers (4/30/2008 5:12:11 PM)

Thirty may be a bit young to be a pastor if he doesn't have a good mentor relationship with an older, more experienced pastor. The way our church does it is to raise up pastors from the men who are already in the church, have them under an older pastor and then when the older pastor is ready to retire or change ministries, the younger (then likely in his 40s) steps up and takes his place. I truly see that as the ideal vs. pastor "hunting" among people you don't know, no matter the age. It also gives those young pastors a place to serve and get their feet very wet before they're on their own.

One thing to consider...if you have a 30 year old pastor and he is committed to God and to the local body, you may have a 40 year pastor in the making! For a good pastor, that is a wonderful thing!



hjemerson -> RE: Young Preachers (5/6/2008 3:28:04 PM)

Well I guess it goe both ways.We are wanting to work with a Youth Minsterty, after we raised a family when back to school to get the paper .we have all the life expe,( when I said exp. nothing can suprise us we are very much aware of what our youth today goes thur!) as we have been seeking and sending out letters (over 200 in two years) we have had several tell us we are to old ,we are a few young 50. We can keep up with any 20 yr old ,have no young children to keep one of us home But Yet no one will give us the chance. Has a degree in Youth and minor in Music. I even have a letter stating: we to old from a church. I laughter them cryed ! They judges us with out even meeting us just by a date! Sad I know some where the Lord has a place for us empity nester full of life/life expericance and Love of the Lord!



JimboFletch -> RE: Young Preachers (5/6/2008 3:40:35 PM)

God can use a young preacher effectively but, as a general rule, I think it would serve both the young preacher and a congregation if he serves as an assistant/associate pastor for a few years before taking on the role of senior pastor. I have seen more young Christians unintentionally hurt by a green pastor and those believers wander aimlessly until they are able to trust again. (I've even seen a young associate pastor given way too much leeway by the senior pastor that resulted in a number of previously faithful, ministering members leave for other churches in town.)



Odeliya -> RE: Young Preachers (5/6/2008 4:33:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

I have seen more young Christians unintentionally hurt by a green pastor and those believers wander aimlessly until they are able to trust again. (I've even seen a young associate pastor given way too much leeway by the senior pastor that resulted in a number of previously faithful, ministering members leave for other churches in town.)

Oh, Jimbo that precisely just happened right in front of my eyes, as if you were describing the church I currently go to!

Lack of humbleness especially in younger pastors is a big obstacle. Generally here in USA it seems as if the culture of go-getter,super achiever,highselfesteemer, I-am-the-best-of-you-all-and-I will- let- you-know- that, so beneficial in the workforce and in business , prevents young pastors from humbly being “other's servant” and a learner.
Not to speak for all, but I just saw particular case of that. 2 pastors- One Ass. and one Senior did combined damage of enormous destructive force.

But Spurgeon also started preaching at 16, so it depends on a person :))



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