We love the work we get to do as an association. We are honored to connect churches together, help them serve one another, and see how the Body of Christ is better together not only within the local church but also on a macro scale.
Occasionally, the story of how God is working to move just the right pieces together at the right time is clear, and we get to rejoice as those pieces fall into place. One of those situations is a new program called the Preacher’s Collective.
But first, let me paint a picture for you.
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Many Needs
Throughout our city, people in churches with a healthy sending culture are naturally feeling the call to preach. They have been approved by their local leadership and are looking for ways to hone their skills of faithful gospel proclamation. The best way to learn is by doing, yet how are those feeling the call to preachto get more experience and better discern their call?
“The best way to learn is by doing, yet how are those feeling the call to preach to get more experience and better discern their call? ”
At the same time, many local churches in Houston are in transition, especially after a pandemic, and don’t currently have a preaching pastor. These churches still desire to continue in corporate worship and to sit under the preaching of God's Word as they navigate the process of searching for new pastoral leadership.
We are also working with several churches in the revitalization process. These congregations may be declining or dying and need a fresh voice in the pulpit for a period of time to kickstart renewal. Revitalizing churches need faithful men to come in from the outside and preach the Word of God.
Not only do we have more pastorless churches than at any other time in recent history, but we also have pastors who are tired and need a break. Many pastors don’t have a large staff they can lean on when they could use a time of respite. They would and should give the pulpit to someone they trust so they could take some time off and come back refreshed. Ministers need vacation, too.
“Churches in transition still desire to continue in corporate worship and to sit under the preaching of God’s Word as they navigate the process of searching for new pastoral leadership.”
What do these situations have in common? They could benefit from the Preacher’s Collective.
One Solution
The Preacher’s Collective is an innovative way to meet needs that naturally arise in Sending Pathways and Church Renewal. Not only are we helping churches raise up, equip, and send out those called to preach (sending pathways), we’re also providing gospel proclamation in pastorless churches in transition (church renewal).
Not only are we helping churches raise up, equip, and send out those called to preach, we’re also providing gospel proclamation in pastorless churches.
The Preacher's Collective meets churches’ time-sensitive need by providing access to a selection of preachers, recommended by other UBA churches, to continue the Word ministry of the church. It also allows those who feel called to gain experience and discern a calling into pastoral ministry by providing pulpit supply for churches. It’s a win-win.
Better Together
The Preacher’s Collective is ready for church leadership to begin calling out the next generation of preachers from within their local body. It’s ready to meet a need we currently have in our city for the gospel to be faithfully preached.
UBA churches recommend someone in their congregation to join the Preacher’s Collective. Then, candidates submit a video of themselves preaching and are vetted by their local leadership. These aren’t preachers who are coming out of nowhere; they’re known and recommended from within their churches.
We hope all churches can be places that begin multiplying faithful gospel ministers of all kinds, and this program is one way to help us be a part of what Paul recommends in 2 Timothy 2:2:
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
If you’re ready to be considered as a candidate to preach, you can click the button below to begin the process. We look forward to connecting you in a place you can serve.
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Photo by Stephen Radford on Unsplash
May we take encouragement from Lough Ah Fook’s story. God can use whatever “small” thing you’re doing for the gospel today to make an impact you could never imagine.