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Preacher Boys vs. Pulpit Men Thread:
While reading ‘Preaching During the English Reformation,’ the author discusses the concept of ‘pulpit men’ in 16th century England. This stands in contrasts to the colloquial term, ‘preacher boys.’
While reading ‘Preaching During the English Reformation,’ the author discusses the concept of ‘pulpit men’ in 16th century England. This stands in contrasts to the colloquial term, ‘preacher boys.’
‘Preacher Boys’ in their youthful zeal to preach are often times untrained and unaware of the complexities of congregational life. Preacher boys look to fight, spar, and cut their teeth to make a name for themselves. They are aspiring pastor-theologians without a pulpit.
‘Preacher boys’ pursue the things of God haphazardly with ambition that isn’t refined by the fires of pastoral ministry. All beginning preacher walks through this stage but often times, many never grow into a ‘pulpit man.’
We’ve all been there...
We’ve all been there...
‘Pulpit men’ are those who have been shaped, trained, and molded by the Word and experience. Erasmus, in “Ecclesiastes,” promotes the idea of a pulpit man - one who desires godly piety through prayer and preaching.
These pulpit men are scholars, educated in the Word and world. They bear the bite marks from wolves, goats, and sheep. They don’t preach to be recognized. Rather they preach so that Christ may be cherished in the hearts of His people.
Pulpit men are the ancient saints, fathers, and divines who stand within the apostolic tradition of pastoral ministry - a physician of souls. Pulpit men are under-shepherds, pastor-theologians, men of the Word/Spirit, who stand at the rudder of the church as God intoxicated men.
Preachers boys are consumed by theology for the sake of personal knowledge. Pulpit men are consumed by theology for the sake of the church and the glory of God.
A defining mark is humility, gentleness, and wisdom.
A defining mark is humility, gentleness, and wisdom.
Pulpit men labor to preach out of the overflow of their love and joy in Christ, characteristically marked by their own weakness. Preacher boys labor to preach for the sake of preaching.
Seminaries train preacher boys; local churches train pulpit men. My prayer is that the church of the Lord Jesus would have more pulpit men and less preacher boys who look for the next opportunity. Furthermore, may preacher boys grow into pulpit men.
