Preachers are made not born.
If you don't know with certainty that Jesus Christ died for your sins, you are not fit to preach the gospel. You need to know that you drove the nails through his hands and thrust the spear into his side.
Dedicate yourself to study of the Word of God. If you are not one hundred percent convinced the Bible alone is the Word of God, get out now!
You don't need Bible college, though there are some good ones. You need the Holy Spirit and a converted heart hungry for truth. In humility receive the Word. Pray everyday for guidance and insight into the Word.
The only systematic theology you need is covenant. Learn what covenant is and is not.
The Bible is a collection of covenant documents; study it as such. C. H. Spurgeon said, ‟No subject is more fully the key to unlock all theology as that of covenant.”
Forget every thing your denomination ever taught you. At least put it to the side and study the Word as though you never read it before. When you look up from your studies, if some of your denominational traditions are still standing, hang on to them. Your entire denomination may disappear when you see it with Holy Spirit trained eyes. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, be sure you know what the Bible really teaches about Him. Lies about Him and His work abound.
Find a church with mature leaders where they will let you expound on the word regularly, at least once a week. If you can't preach, teach. Though they are not the same, both necessitate that you live in the Word. Also, either one will provide public speaking experience.
Pray for God to put you into a congregation where you'll be needed. Abandon any ridiculous thought of finding a church where you can be ‟comfortable”. In most churches you'll find the bitter, the heart broken, liars and thieves, hypocrites, legalists, and snobs – as well as a lot of saints of God who will encourage and edify you. Love them all with a love only Christ can put in your heart.
Expound the Word and love the people, week-in and week-out. God will take you to the heights of spiritual wonder and lead you through the depths of the human condition. He will teach you how to apply the Word to human need.
Every time you think you just can't stand it any more, pray for the strength to hang on a bit longer. In about twenty-five years God will have transformed you into a preacher. Twenty years, if you are a fast learner. Congratulations, you're now ready to go to work.
Chatboard (0)