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The Evangelist and His Work
For many years some brethren have either questioned or opposed the practice of a church using a preacher located with that one congregation and paying him a stipulated salary. The opposition is based on two main objections. Some think of an evangelist as a roving preacher who has no lingering attachment to a particular church. More object on the basis of specified support agreed on by the parties involved. Modern usage of the word "evangelist" sometimes implies traveling about to preach, but the word used by the Spirit does not convey it. One must look elsewhere to find this idea. One who brings the glad tidings of Christ in the gospel is doing evangelistic work regardless of his length of time in a location, a stipulated amount of support, or the focus of his work at that particular time (saints or sinners). The New Testament teaches that an evangelist teaches both the lost and the brethren (Acts 8:14; 1 Tim. 4:6; 2 Tim. 4:5). He can be located in one place for an extended time, just as Philip was in Caesarea twenty years (Acts 8:40; 21:8), Luke at Philippi six years (Acts 16:16,40; 20:5-6), and Paul at Ephesus three years (Acts 20:31). It appears he could remain in one place as long as there is work for him to do. Timothy was told to do the work of an evangelist in a church with elders (Acts 20:17; 2 Tim. 4:5), though many would deny that such is scriptural. Whether an evangelist works on an appointment or located basis should be decided by the circumstances in a given situation, because God has said nothing on this matter. Appointment preaching accomplished much good earlier in our history, but located work achieves more balanced teaching and a more highly motivated group to teach the lost. New Testament teaching about a preacher's support is found in stated principles: the right to forbear working (1 Cor. 9:6), the proclaimer's living of the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14), and the laborer's being worthy of his hire (1 Tim. 5:18). Examples also demonstrate that it is right to support a preacher: Paul received wages from distant churches while working in Corinth (2 Cor. 11:8), and Philippi sent repeatedly to Paul (Phil. 4:15). We simply do not know the arrangement between Paul and the sending congregations, nor ought we to impose restrictions that the Lord Himself has not given. To say that an understanding about such matters between a preacher and the supporting church is wrong is to state what one has no basis for knowing and to become Master rather than disciple. The realities of our modern economy dictate the wisdom of some understanding, which would not necessarily imply a mercenary motive on the part of a preacher or a proprietary attitude on the part of the congregation. If congregations and preachers would utilize their time and energy in the work of evangelism instead of dredging up obstacles to the work, like those mentioned in this article, there would be more zeal generated, more work done, more souls saved, more saints strengthened, and more honor given to Christ. After all, is this not what the work of evangelism is all about? - Bobby L. Graham | Page 1 | Page 3 | Page 4 | Page 5 | Page 6 | Page 7 | Page 8 | |