In November 2022, I celebrated 20 years since I preached my first sermon. I am still shocked that it was this long ago. During those two decades, I have come to appreciate, respect and even revere not just the teaching office of pastor, but also any teaching role in a church. Too often in our looser-knit evangelical churches, we desperately cast out nets for volunteers to teach in the hope we will have some accept the call. Yet the Bible calls for greater reserve than to offer this awesome responsibility to anyone to can give it a try. 

In James 3:1, the writer asserts, "Not many of you should become teachers..." In other words, teaching is a very serious matter, and not everyone in the church should be doing it. It is not a flippant decision you mull over for a weekend. And why? James continues, "...Because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." A low view of our accountability before the judgment seat of Christ equals a low view of the teaching office. 

It is said when John Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, was asked to become a preacher, he wept and initially refused. This hesitancy to take up the teaching of Christian doctrine, even among seasoned pastors, is a sign of wisdom and a healthy fear of the Lord. 

In that vein, a few observations...

1. If you are not a teacher in the church and feel no desire to be one, DO NOT feel guilty in your conscience, and do not let anyone else make you feel guilty. Support those who are. All too often in some churches, people are made to feel as if they are a lesser degree of Christian because they do not teach. The Bible does not support such a philosophy so do not feel guilty over someone else’s errant views. 

2. If you are a teacher in a local church, let the weight of your "stricter judgment" set in each and every time you speak. Be prepared when you teach. Do not get up and flippantly talk about God and His Word, because souls are in the balance, and you will stand before God about what you have said. The older I get, the more this heavy responsibility weighs on me. 
   
   
3. Regardless of your position as a teacher in the church, continually pray for those you know personally who teach. Pray for them often but have a particular day to pray for them. Maybe even ask your pastor and those who teach in your church what is the best day to pray for them as they prepare to teach.

Let’s show due reverence for the biblical office of teacher! Soli Deo Gloria!