C A R L B. G A R N E R

'THEY WOULDN'T LET ME PREACH THE TRUTH!'

It is unfortunate that some do not want to hear the truth, whether it be on the subject of politics, education, economics...or the Bible. Any Gospel preacher worth his salt will be sure to teach and write the truth every time he has the opportunity. Anyone who seeks to prevent him from preaching the truth will be met with resistance. Jesus preached the truth. So did Moses, Stephen, Paul, and Peter. The truth must be preached by preachers even when men do not enjoy hearing it. Those who respect and uphold the truth want everyone to know where they stand, and will defend the truth at all cost.

But sometimes another problem arises, and that is when one of my preaching brothers is told, "It's time for a change." It's a problem because now the preacher has to explain to friends and relatives why he is no longer going to be the preacher at his present location. He just can't imagine that he may have become ineffective in his work. He is honest, but in his own mind he feels he has been mistreated. Those same elders who were so "wise" when they hired him just a few years ago have now become men who "cannot be trusted," and he just cannot bring himself to submit to them. And so, even though it is not entirely true, he begins to tell the story that he is leaving because "they wouldn't let me preach the truth." He will tell his preacher brothers, "I wanted to preach the truth on (and here you may insert whatever the hot topic happens to be at that time), but they wouldn't let me; so I'm going to find a place where I can preach the truth."

It may shock some people to hear me say that a preacher might be less than honorable about something like that, but it happens; and some of us have seen it happen. It is a tragic time, because the reputation of both a man and a local church is damaged.

Some will say that it is natural for anyone to put the best "spin" on a set of facts that they can. When embarrassment is the other option, it becomes easy to convince yourself "it wasn't my fault." But even if that is "natural," it still is not right. This matter needs to be discussed honestly, plainly, and fairly.

It is true that the "whole truth" is not welcome in every church. It may be that the truth on marriage and divorce will offend a brother or sister for whom this is a problem in their life. Or it could be that preaching the truth about immorality will hit too close to home in some families. But the truth is the only thing a Gospel preacher has the right to preach, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, for that alone will save the hearers. All of the truth. Nothing but the truth. The truth spoken in love. We are not talking about opinions, theories, or human dogma, but God's truth! If [a congregation] ever reaches the point at which "all the counsel of God" is not welcome, then [they] will cease to be the church Jesus died for and "purchased with His own blood," Acts 20:20-32. Preaching the truth is the only way a preacher can be "pure from the blood of all men."

Preachers should always preach the truth "in love," Ephesians 4:15; but truth still must be made known. If the man who preaches from [the] pulpit ever ceases to speak the truth in love, he should be dismissed. But when truth is preached in love, we all must submit ourselves to that truth. Not to the preacher, but to the truth. Changes are sometimes necessary, but they should be made in fairness and within ethical bounds.

But there is yet another side to this issue, and it addresses the subject of elders and their oversight of the local church. Scripture authorizes elders or bishops as those to whom the responsibility is given to "feed the flock," 1 Peter 5:1-5. They are to make sure that truth, all of the truth, is preached to the "flock of God which is among you." Their responsibility is not finished when they hire a preacher. They employ a preacher as just one means by which the "flock" is nurtured and fed spiritually. And they must make sure he continues to preach the truth. In Hebrews 13:17, all Christians are commanded (preachers, too): "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." In matters of opinion or expediency, elders are responsible for making certain decision, and all Christians are obligated to "submit" to them. Elders and preachers are not in competition for power in the local church. The best friend any godly preacher can have is a godly elder, and they will patiently work together to know and then proclaim the truth.

But some preachers are not happy unless their opinions are regarded as law. They may even go among the congregation undermining the elders' authority. If that doesn't work, they may attempt to usurp the authority that rightly belongs to the elders. I hate to admit that this happens, but unfortunately it sometimes does.

No one is "right" just because he is a preacher or an elder. Conflicts will arise among the finest of men, but honesty and integrity will always cause us to consider the possibility that we are mistaken. The welfare of the kingdom of God will always be uppermost in the minds of godly men and women. They will not spread tales that damage either the reputation of other men or of the church for which Jesus died. Instead, they will work together in this, the greatest work anyone can do.