I came accrossed the following article in my library that I thought would be good to publish here. Enjoy! – Brenden

Problems Ordinarily Experienced By Young Preachers In The Early Years of Preaching

James R. Cope

Vanguard, Vol. 1 No. 10, May 22, 1975

A few months ago Olen Holderby, preacher of the Santa Clara Avenue Church of Christ, Alameda, California, began a class for young preachers. I was one of several men of many years’ experience to whom he sent a request for a listing of the type [of] problems reflected in the heading of this article. When I returned my list, I asked for his final compilation, not thinking, however, I would use it except for my own information and edification. I was well enough impressed with this enumeration of observations that I felt that would be of special interest to brethren who receive VANGUARD. I submit the observations as received and without comment.

1. Understanding and getting along with people: Often the preacher may think that he is the only one who has problems, thus becomes insensitive to the feelings of others.
2. Time schedule for work: Study habits, prayer, play, teach, preach, visitations. Needs self-motivation in planning his time. Independent study, but listen to others. Pulpit excellence sometimes is sacrificed for other activities. Study other than for lessons.
3. Dealing with brethren: Preacher[s] sometimes may betray confidence of brethren, repeating what he has been told. Gossip of one member about another, cutting each other up and using [the] preacher as a sounding board for this.
4. Preacher’s Self-Control: Anger (under all circumstances). No “politicking” to get things done (this would be in realm of judgement).
5. Partiality: Preacher may show this – unconsciously, or conscious, thus forming cliques. This can be done in or out of the pulpit. Problems sometimes come when the preacher refuses to do this – may loose financial support and/or be “quarantined” or both.
6. Preaching Habits: Preach without being offensive; don’t take unfair advantage of the pulpit. Preacher may become arrogant & self-righteous. May desire to make a name for himself as a preacher, thus compromise truth. The congregation may expect the preacher to be mature, when he just doesn’t have it yet. May preacher doubtful doctrines.
7. Criticism: Must not over react to criticism. Must learn to seek and accept advice from proper sources. His own desires must not be the basis of strife, nor should he permit the congregation to divide over the preacher.
8. Financial Problems: Living within his means. Insufficient support. Never permit self to be thought of as a sponger, fee-loader, keep clean financially.
9. Social Pressures: Outside social pressures, mental and emotional pressures, deadlines, church problems, pressure to go along with sins of the brethren, or to sin along with the common practices in a given community.
10. Family Problems: Preacher getting so busy that he has no time for his family. May allow local work to rob his family of its rights. Preacher’s family may be affected by materialism-seeking material things unnecessarily.
11. Authority: Lack of respect for such. Elders may not understand the work of godly elders and not have a meaningful relationship with members. Working with elders instead of for them. Preacher may do the work of elders instead of patiently waiting on them to act.
12. Discouragement: Because of lack of visible results of responses to his preaching, with brethren not understanding the work of the preacher. He may not be able to accomplish all that he would like, or all that he feels he is capable of doing. He may over-estimate his own ability to defend the truth. May expect people to change “overnight” – 5 months as compared to 5 years.
13. Apathy: Lukewarm members sometimes will rub off on the preacher, and he gets apathetic. Such a membership can greatly effect the preacher.
14. Morally: Female members may interpret ordinary acts of friendship and kindness to mean something more than that to them and thus become “involved” – or, at least making the effort. Must keep self morally unimpeachable.
15. Business Meetings (Without elders): Are problematic. Trying to avoid the majority or minority rule. Learning to tell what brethren are thinking, in addition to what they are saying. Preacher must learn to be a leader of people yet remain in his place as an evangelist.
16. Misdirected Zeal: He may have zeal without knowledge, thus often creating “issues” where none really exist.
17. Sermons: Selecting sermon topics that are scriptural, relevant, inspirational, and edifying. Preparation and delivery needs special attention. May make the mistake of drawing too much from “books” instead of the Sacred text, itself. Four hours preparation for a sermon vs. five minute preparation for two-hour delivery.
18. Personality Differences: These among elders sometimes produce problems for the preacher. He may be expected to take “sides”, or be watched to see which side he will take. “Border-line” qualifications of elders sometimes produce problems.
19. Betrayed Confidences: Preacher sometimes put confidence in brethren before their trust is proven – this is a temptation to the younger preacher. This can cause problems later.
20. Uncertainty: Preacher sometimes afraid or unwilling to say “I don’t know.” Giving quick answers sometimes puts the preacher “out on the limb.” Promises to find the right answers, is kept, always prove best.
21. Current “Brotherhood” Problems: The “fellowship” question will likely produce problems for younger preachers. The “tongue-speaking” problem will produce problems; at least the potential is there.