Teenager called to preach

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dustdev14

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Hello! I am facing a certain dilemma. I feel that I am being called to preach. I’ve prayed for guidance on the issue over the last few weeks and it’s only solidified my belief that I am being called upon. A few months ago, the pastor of our non denominational church stepped down after his wife passed away, so we are left pastor-less and forced to rely solely on inviting ministers to preach at our church. we are never certain that we’ll have somebody to preach, and I want to solve that. My problem isn’t that I’m not liked by the church, or that I’m afraid of public speaking, or anything of the physical sort. The problem I have is that I’m 16, and was only saved 1/2 a year ago. I still have so much to learn, but I can think of scores of topics to preach about. I really need guidance on what I should do. Should I simply wait? I believe I’m ready spiritually now and God is calling me now, but am I simply too young? Should I just throw the idea out to the adults and follow their wisdom? Frankly, although I can understand the idea that I am too young (and would normally 100% agree) God is calling me now, and I want to serve God. I really just need advice, and any advice is enough for me.

Thanks, Kaden
 
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You would be best to ask this question of your fellow non-denominationalists.

This is a Catholic forum, so, I would advise you to speak to the local priest about converting once you are an adult then discerning a vocation to the priesthood.
 
Main advice you’ll get on this forum is to become Catholic once you’re no longer under your parents’ rule.

Good advice, IMO.
 
I’m with the other two posters. If God is calling you, then think about converting to Catholicism and becoming a priest, or if not a priest, then a deacon.
 
I agree with everyone else. Once you are older you should look into becoming Catholic and speak with a priest about the priesthood. God bless you!
 
Regarding your own non-denominational church, Kaden, have you prayed for a qualified adult preacher to come to your parish?

As a recent convert, full of enthusiasm, it’s natural that you are enthusiastic to preach and share. Your conviction that you should preach may have its basis in that enthusiasm, and that your conviction partly based in your enthusiasm and in your generous desire to solve the issue for your community.

You might be best to find the courage to ask your community if they are willing to let you preach, at least once, so they can test your suitability, and they may support your wish to study in preparation.

But it is possible, that having taken the somewhat unusual decision to ask in a Catholic forum, that God may have answered your prayers by planting a spiritual seed to call you to the Catholic Church
Many non- Catholics have erroneous ideas about the Catholic Church, But if God is calling you in the manner some posters have suggested, then may God give you the courage and faithfulness to persevere in the search for truth.

My prayers for you, Kaden. God bless you always.
 
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Congratulations on your faith walk, in drawing closer to Jesus, and your commitment to walk with Him.

Always keep learning and never stop growing ❤️

As a Catholic, I agree with the above posters that you may want to consider learning about Catholicism.

Also, as a “baby Christian”, you might want to share your testimony at this point in time, rather than preach. Mostly because as a newbie to faith, you may have gaps in your knowledge that could mislead others less informed than you (and you may not even be aware of what those gaps are 🙂).

But thanks for sharing here, you’re welcome to poke around and ask questions and offer observations and I’ll remember you in my prayers :pray:t2:
 
My advice would be to stop attending the non-denominational church and consider converting to Catholicism.
 
It is admirable that you are eager to help out your church. It sounds like you may be thinking of following in the steps of Billy Graham. He was a young preacher without much experience, but he did had theological schooling behind him. I loved his preaching when I was Baptist, but in converting to Catholicism, I see how much of what he taught and preached is not what the Bible says. Without education and experience, it would be very easy and probable to teach in error of your particular faith. I’m not willing to take that chance. Also, there is much more to being a church pastor than preaching.You have to be an administrator, supervise staff, provide counseling, marriages, funerals? Like other above have suggested, check out Catholicism and learn the true faith, then even consider the priesthood. Prayers for your situation.
 
This is not the appropriate place to pose this question. The reason why will be clear from my answer which is from a Catholic perspective. I do find it surprising you would come to a Catholic forum to find the answer to this problem.

What were you saved from six months ago?

You should not preach. Preaching is the preserve of sacred ministers, i.e. bishops, priests, deacons. But, you do not have these so are forced to rely on lay men to lead your services and preach.

At 16 years old I do not think you have had the education, experience, emotional maturity, etc. to preach. However, on the other hand your preaching cannot be based on any magisterium. You are allowed, in your ecclesial community, to interpret the Bible personally. perhaps, then, you might be able to stand in front of your congregation and give then your interpretation of a Biblical passage.
 
I preached for about a year in a Continuing Anglican church. Without a background in theology and Sacred Scripture and a course in Biblical exegesis I would have been totally lost. The Church Fathers became my go-to source.

Preaching should be largely expository. I think a basic understanding of systematic theology is also critical. One has to be able to craft a homily founded in the week’s readings, not just stand up and witness. Nothing wrong with witnessing, but it’s not preaching.
 
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As a Baptist, I suggest you talk with the elders/deacons in your church, they will
be able to hopefully guide you in what to do and how to answer this call.

Could be preaching, could be working with youth as a team leader, ect.
I wish you the best!
 
I would ask the elders at your church. It is a possibility as many Protestant denominations/churches don’t require any sort of formal training or knowledge in theology to preach. I have a Facebook friend whose teenaged son preaches sermons sometimes at their Church of God Church services.
 
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If you want to preach it sure makes more sense for you to give it a try than for the congregation to attempt to find ministers to preach.
 
Kaden you might want to investigate and read about the Dominicans. They are a Catholic religious order that was founded by St. Dominic who lived from 1170-1221. The order therefore is 800 years old, this means they have been serving the Lord and God’s people continuously for over 800 years! The Dominicans are made up of four branches
  1. They have Frairs who are Brothers including priests
  2. Sisters, vowed women for life who are active in ministry
  3. Nuns who are cloistered women devoting their entire lives to prayer
  4. Lay Dominicans, which means regular people who are not full-time vowed religious people but want to share in the charism of the order.
The Dominicans charism is preaching, in fact they are known as the Order of Preachers (O.P.) The priests are given a very intense education in the Bible (the holy scriptures) and their whole lives are given to evangelization (sharing the gospel). They also have a deep commitment to contemplative prayer, as to preach we must have a deep and abiding relationship with Christ. I would suggest you contact the Lay Domicians of North America Laydominicansofnorthamerica.org nearest to you and see if you can join a local group. This way you can learn from the experts and grow deeper in your understanding and love for Christ. I am sure they would be delighted to hear you feel a call to preach.

Much love to you! May Jesus continue to bless you abundantly, I will pray for you.
 
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dustdev14 said:
I really just need advice, and any advice is enough for me.
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Well, here’s my advice.
  • Look into Catholic teaching, and, perhaps, you’ll see that it is the Truth.
  • I apologize that the quality of our liturgy has declined since Vatican II, however, try to attend at least one Traditional Latin Mass. You’ll be amazed.
  • God always draws people to Himself. Follow Him.
In regards to the Church…

The Catholic Church is the One, True Church founded by Jesus Christ and guided on earth by His Vicar, the Pope, whose role was passed down by Peter himself.

The Bishops are the Apostles’ successors, and they alone have power to bind, to loose, and to confer the sacrament of Holy Orders.

Before the Protestant Revolution, there was but one Church. However, heretics, concerned more about worldly matters than with the spiritual, overturned society and disrupted it.

The Anglicans, for example, were founded by Henry the Eighth because he wanted a divorce, which was not permitted by either the Church or by Christ.

The Church is perfect, though not because of its members, but because of its Head, Christ, who Is God; The Church is comprised of the Church militant (they on earth), triumphant (they in heaven), and the Church suffering (they in Purgatory).

The Catholic Church has a grand legacy, extending throughout the ages, one that shall last always, and one against which the gates of hell shall not prevail.

The Church is the continuation of the Covenant between God and Israel, Christ fulfilled God’s promise to send a Redeemer, the Church is the climax of God’s saving plan.

Reborn in the waters of baptism, we are called to sanctity, the pursuit of God, and holy Charity.

Don’t settle for a mere reflection of God’s goodness, seek God Himself. Until we find Him,
we yearn. We may temporarily quench our yearning with temporal, material “goods,” however, in the end, those are not enough. As St. Augustine said, “[O]ur heart is restless until it rests in You.”

We’re all in this struggle to see the material world as an inferior fulfillment, while constantly bombarded by our material side; we’re all in the struggle to gain Goodness, despite being blinded by our eyes which inflame in us a longing for Goodness, while only revealing to us mirrors…

Seek God always, seek God in the Church, and in Him you shall find joy.
 
Yes. It’s Catholic Answers Forums.

Is encouraging someone to remain in Protestant error against forum rules?
 
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