Qualifications: An
Ability to Teach
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It is not at all surprising that
our prospective pastor must be “able to teach”. This does not say “able to
preach”. So we must not confuse the two. Preaching is not teaching, and teaching
is not preaching. Some preaching is teaching—but other preaching, however
attractive and good it might be to listen to, is not teaching. But something
very special and specific is implied here in Paul’s statement. “Able to
teach”—this phase is only used here and in 2 Timothy 2:24. It implies not merely
a readiness to teach, but also that he is possessing that spiritual ability
which enables him to do so. It is a spiritual power that is the outcome of
prayerful meditation and study in the Word of God. It also implies the practical
application of its truth to himself. Teaching is all very well, when the one who
teaches has no personal experience of what he teaches! A pastor is not a valid
teacher of God’s Word, if (1) he does not understand it himself, (2) he is not
seeking to understand it, (3) he knows nothing of the Holy Spirit’s enabling,
(4) he does not apply God’s Word to his own heart first, and (5) he does not
experience the anointing power of the Holy Spirit in the teaching of God’s Word.
To be able to teach God’s Word effectively requires an anointing of the Holy
Spirit. We are looking for the Word of God coming to us with power through His
servant. Not merely as thoughts from man, but as God’s Word to us—God speaking
to us.
Contrary to some teaching, this does not just happen. Yes, of course, we have
God’s Word which is sufficient to meet every need, and which is to be applied to
every situation, both in our personal lives and in church life. But the Word of
God needs be learned, considered carefully, and meditated on. It needs to be
understood, applied, and proclaimed. There are various ways in helping one who
has experienced a call from God to preach and teach. Various schemes are
available, within various ‘denominational’ structures. These include sending him
to a Bible College, or to take the opportunity of part-time schemes that are
available (see note 1, p.44). It may be that he can be encouraged, trained and
given experience, within his own fellowship, which would be commendable. Such
training for a prospective pastor is not just a good thing—it is a necessity.
For he is then able by these means to learn skills and truths that otherwise he
might not appreciate.
The opportunity of systematic study enables consideration and discussion of both
orthodox truths and heresies. In and through such training he learns more of his
own spiritual life and standing, and he seeks to grow in grace and in other
ways, so as to be able to cope with the demands of a pastoral ministry. So, in
considering a man, learn about what studying he has done, what was involved, and
seek to ascertain how he feels he has benefited from it. Ask how he found his
study course, whether at Bible college, or through another scheme. How many
years has he done? And even ask whether he has completed the course. Be careful
of those who drop out, for whatever reason, even if they think they would not
have benefited from continuing—it gives an indication of commitment and
perseverance. And why not speak to the principle of the College or course, if he
has recently completed it? You need to know whether the man in view is “able to
teach”.
For a Biblical example we might consider Ezra. “Ezra came up from Babylon; and
he was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had
given.” (Ezra 7:6). “So they [including Ezra] read distinctly from the book, in
the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the
reading” (Nehemiah 8:8).
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