Should the Church Support a Man Who is Training to Preach?

Should the Church Support a Man Who is Training to Preach?

Dear Bro. John:
Does Scripture authorizes churches to provide from its collections the financial support of individuals who are studying to become preachers?
-Jimmy

Dear Jimmy:
In speaking of preachers and teachers, Paul said, "The laborer is worthy of his hire." (I Tim. 5:18). He went on to say, the Lord ordained that "they who preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (I Cor. 9:14). Most of our brethren have concluded that it being right for the church to support the man who is devoting his time and labor to preaching, it is likewise right to support the same man while he is preparing himself to do that work in an effective manner.

If a young man is going to school to be a doctor or a teacher it is not the church's business to provide for him while he does so. But if he is preparing himself to serve the church that is a different matter. (Some time, as a matter of benevolence, a congregation might provide some assistance toward the education of the children of Christian widow, or those whose Christian father is disabled).

In our schools of preaching, operated by congregations, students spend 30 hours per week in class studying the Bible and related subjects and as much or more time in homework. The one purpose for them being there is to learn how to be effective preachers of the gospel. Virtually no one questions the scripturalness of supporting this kind of training. Someone might not have confidence in a particular student and thus refuse to support him, but they do not oppose the concept. The support provided is usually not comparable to a full-time salary. But this is the prerogative of the congregation.

Sincerely,

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