What's the difference....

[Aymn27]

between the gift of teaching and of preaching as listed in Corinthians?? Would you consider a priest to be a teacher or a preacher or a little of both, etc?

What do you all think?

 

[AngCath]

well first of all i'd like to point out that in the first generation church (in which paul lived) teaching was an office within the church and was in the tradition of the rabbi and expounded on the Old Testament.

 

[Timothy]

As a MK, our mission tends to differentiate teaching (building up the body of Christ) and preaching (telling the gospel to all nations.) Teaching is vitally important within the context of the church. Preaching is vitally important outside of the church building... inside it, it's often used, yet often strangely inappropriately.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

As a MK, our mission tends to differentiate teaching (building up the body of Christ) and preaching (telling the gospel to all nations.) Teaching is vitally important within the context of the church. Preaching is vitally important outside of the church building... inside it, it's often used, yet often strangely inappropriately.

I agree. Realistically, here, it seems many inside the church do not really understand the gospel (either because they are newcomers or just because the scales haven't fallen from their eyes).

 

[Timothy]

Many churches spend so much time trying to convert people that they miss out on what is really more important. Discipleship. Churches that are all new members are ineffective, yet people who are taught, and learn how to follow Christ tend to bring others to know Him too. Preaching from the front of a church to tell people to follow Jesus has very little place in a 21st Century Church, IMO.

Timothy

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Many churches spend so much time trying to convert people that they miss out on what is really more important. Discipleship. Churches that are all new members are ineffective, yet people who are taught, and learn how to follow Christ tend to bring others to know Him too. Preaching from the front of a church to tell people to follow Jesus has very little place in a 21st Century Church, IMO.

Timothy

So then in your view, Timothy, is a sermon 'teaching' and not 'preaching'? I think that people use the term 'preaching' to mean a sermon given from up front to the congregation during a service. Would you say this is really 'teaching'?

 

[JoshuaCh1v9]

As a Salavtionist I would say that Preaching is what you do to get people into church, and Teaching is what you do once they are there.

To use the anaolgy that Jesus used about the doctor (a well man does not need a doctor...)

Preaching is spiritual First aid.

Teaching is ongoing health care to maintain spiritual fitness.

 

[Timothy]

So then in your view, Timothy, is a sermon 'teaching' and not 'preaching'? I think that people use the term 'preaching' to mean a sermon given from up front to the congregation during a service. Would you say this is really 'teaching'?

Unfortunately, often times a sermon is preaching. And it's about useless to a congregation.

Timothy

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Unfortunately, often times a sermon is preaching. And it's about useless to a congregation.

Timothy

I'm going to try to remember that!

 

[Aymn27]

As a MK, our mission tends to differentiate teaching (building up the body of Christ) and preaching (telling the gospel to all nations.) Teaching is vitally important within the context of the church. Preaching is vitally important outside of the church building... inside it, it's often used, yet often strangely inappropriately.

Timothy,
Thanks. That makes it more clear for me. I appreciate your input. So basically you're saying that teachers belong in the church teaching those the preachers outside the church converted - right?

BTW - what is MK? Pardon my ignorance..

Aaron

 

[Aymn27]

As a Salavtionist I would say that Preaching is what you do to get people into church, and Teaching is what you do once they are there.

To use the anaolgy that Jesus used about the doctor (a well man does not need a doctor...)

Preaching is spiritual First aid.

Teaching is ongoing health care to maintain spiritual fitness.

thanks andy!

 

[Aymn27]

I agree. Realistically, here, it seems many inside the church do not really understand the gospel (either because they are newcomers or just because the scales haven't fallen from their eyes).

Karen, I agree - the Vineyard Church I attend is doing a bang up job at this though..and I think their model is basically what Timothy is suggesting should happen - conversion outside the church (and sometimes inside when outsiders come in) and discipleship training inside the church. Sounds like a full-proof plan to me!

Thanks all....

Just a note - I asked b/c a guest at our church this weekend is a well-known and respected "prophet". He prays on people and then gives them a word from the Lord. He told my wife and I that he saw us teaching and leading many souls to Christ. And then emphasized that God had given us a gift of teaching.

The pastor of the church gave me a word the first time I attended several months ago and before I even knew or spoke with him - he told me and my wife that the Lord told him to tell us that we were called to ministry. That really confirmed in my heart what I've felt for so long. I've just been trying to discern where God wants me...that's why I asked the question in the OP - to get some opinions on it from the folks I trust...

blessings.aaron

 

[Simon_Templar]

I pretty much agree with what has been said thus far.

I wanted to add the note that priests and bishops should be teachers. I can't remember the reference off hand but its probably either in Titus or timothy, Paul says in appointing leaders of the church that they should be "apt to teach" or good teachers. He aliso says that the leaders of the church are worthy of honor (which in context probably means their payment and support) and recomends those who work in doctrine for double honor. Thus teachers are recognized as doubly important

Teaching is one of the primary functions of the eldership. One which traditionally has been more neglected by the historic churches. Because traditional sunday worship focuses on the eucharist, often times teaching took a back burner and sermons were or are reduced to short motivational messages.

This was one of the big issues in the reformation era and after. Protestants demanded much more indepth sermons and teaching. Which is why today, most protestant churches focus almost entirely on teaching, or split the service between singing and sermon.

 

[Timothy]

So basically you're saying that teachers belong in the church teaching those the preachers outside the church converted - right?

Effectively yes. I would consider a preacher to be one who has what modern charismatic-speak would call a 'gift of evangelism'.

BTW - what is MK? Pardon my ignorance..

Missionary Kid.

 

[ebia]

between the gift of teaching and of preaching as listed in Corinthians?? Would you consider a priest to be a teacher or a preacher or a little of both, etc?

What do you all think?

I would tend to say that preaching is telling somebody something (verbally or otherwise). It may or may not have any impact on them.

Teaching is enabling somebody's learning. If no-one learns anything teaching hasn't happened.

Preaching can (often does) happen without any effective teaching, and teaching can happen without telling the learner anything.

 

[pilgrimgal]

To me: Preachers tend to bring conviction and repentance...sort of like John the Baptist.

Teachers tend to bring edification and encouragement along with learning.

Of course, some preachers are good teachers and some teachers are also good preachers: both can do some of each...We need em both in ministeries.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I've found this thread to be quite enlightening. I have always wondered about the difference between the two, and I think it is clearer now.

 

[Aymn27]

I've found this thread to be quite enlightening. I have always wondered about the difference between the two, and I think it is clearer now.

me too karen - thank ALL of you for contributing...it has made things clearer for me...