Alabama Preacher Becomes Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church at 19 Years Old
Courtney Meadows, currently 19 and preaching since the age of six, was finally able to answer his calling when he was installed as pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in White Hall, Ala., during a recent and well-attended Sunday service.
"I can honestly say, there has never been a time when I couldn't imagine myself preaching," Meadows told the Montgomery Advertiser. "I always make this statement: If I'm not preaching, life is not worth living for me, because I know that's what I've been called to do."...
jpw wrote: yes, Unprofitable, that is really great! and Rufus, I am interested to hear more of what you are saying about the biblical teaching of a bishop. I may have to go look it up myself. What you are saying about preaching -- yes, it is important, but what is the breadth of calling for a pastor?
Pardon my dumb...I don't fully understand the question so I'll just ramble and hopefully I'll hit on the answer somewhere.
All are called to preach...
Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Few are called to be a bishop\pastor\overseer\ruler\director of the lord's church.
God provides definitions and qualifying criteria for the offices of church leadership. Much of which is contained in 1 Timothy 3. I believe that chapter should be seen as a checklist. Here is the criteria a man needs to meet in order to qualify.
If he falls short in any one of the criteria, he should strive to master the short-coming and return to his pursuit of the office should he feel led to do so. Should he meet the criteria, obtain the office and then later fall short, he should step down voluntarily and if not the members of the church ought to remove him from the office.
The Son of God is also a Bishop. Unmarried, no children etc etc.
1 Peter 2:24-25 KJV 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Of course, the very word "bishop" produces in the mind the anglican version of such, which never was biblical. It is not a high office held by men with pointy hats and long, flowing robes, and big wage packets, and huge palaces to live in, and having authority over several churches.
Sociopath. ..interesting definition and it makes me think of one of my brothers who, seemingly overnight, well, he woke up different. All of this time, we have diagnosed him, through much research, as paranoid scitzo, but mild. Now I am rethinking that because the definition of a sociopath fits him perfectly. He refuses to go and get help for himself and he has list everything as a result...woman, son, home, several jobs, dreams, etc
{ahem} Rufus If he were calling himself a Bishop, you would have a point. He isnt. Since its you and not his congregation calling him a Bishop, may I suggest the burden of requiring him to meet all 16 standards is on you
umightlikethis That article was probably prompted by the Sherlock series. When Holmes was accused of being a pyschopath, he replied he was a sociopath and that the accuser should read up and learn the difference
I was reading an interesting article in a newsy magazine. Are you a sociopath or a psychopath? It provided a list of traits to look out for. After reading them it occurred to me the list identifies the character of the carnal nature without love. There were two lists.
Factor 1 traits: Glibness/superficial charm. Grandiose sense of self worth. Need for stimulation/prone to boredom. Pathological lying. Cunning/manipulative. Lack of remorse or guilt. Shallow affect - superficial experience and expression of emotions. Callous/lack of empathy.
Factor 2 traits: Parasitic lifestyle Poor behavioural controls Promiscuous sexual behaviour Early behaviour problems Lack of realistic long term goals Impulsiveness Irresponsibility Failure to accept responsibility for own actions Many short term serious relationships Juvenile delinquency Revocation of conditional release Criminal versatility
Unbelievably the article was suggesting pychopaths have a useful role to play in society.
yes, Unprofitable, that is really great! and Rufus, I am interested to hear more of what you are saying about the biblical teaching of a bishop. I may have to go look it up myself. What you are saying about preaching -- yes, it is important, but what is the breadth of calling for a pastor?
Unprofitable Servant wrote: I have worked with a guy who goes to fairs all over the state, sets up a booth and we hand out tracts and witness to people. Lots of fruit from his ministry, great way to share the gospel.
Hey US! Thanks for sharing that testimony with me. What a great encouragement. Maybe your friend was more of a freelance evangelist? I only came across the AGM while I was googling something, and was mighty impressed. It was good to hear that there was fruit from that ministry, it sure is a great way to share the gospel. In the UK, boot sales tend to be well attended. Maybe I ought to get on it?
John UK wrote: Talking about missions, why not get your old RV out and go join Amazing Grace Mission in any one of the States or in all of them, traveling about and going to fairs and agricultural shows, any outdoor event where you can set up a booth. No retirement, just keep going till you're ready for glory. IFB principles and doctrines. If you can't hack the IFB method, tell me where there is a reformed group doing exactly the same thing.
I have worked with a guy who goes to fairs all over the state, sets up a booth and we hand out tracts and witness to people. Lots of fruit from his ministry, great way to share the gospel.
Talking about missions, why not get your old RV out and go join Amazing Grace Mission in any one of the States or in all of them, travelling about and going to fairs and agricultural shows, any outdoor event where you can set up a booth. No retirement, just keep going till you're ready for glory. IFB principles and doctrines.
If you can't hack the IFB method, tell me where there is a reformed group doing exactly the same thing.
SteveR wrote: I wouldnt make that conclusion. ++++++++++++++++ bish·op [bish-uhp] Show IPA noun, verb, bish·oped, bish·op·ing. noun 1. a person who supervises a number of local churches or a diocese, being in the Greek, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other churches a member of the highest order of the ministry. 2. a spiritual supervisor, overseer, or the like. ++++++++++++++ I feel this Church can be overseen by one that meets the 16+ qualifications of a Bishop
++++++++++++++++ bish·op [bish-uhp] Show IPA noun, verb, bish·oped, bish·op·ing.
noun 1. a person who supervises a number of local churches or a diocese, being in the Greek, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other churches a member of the highest order of the ministry.
2. a spiritual supervisor, overseer, or the like.
++++++++++++++
I feel this Church can be overseen by one that meets the 16+ qualifications of a Bishop
Rufus_1611 wrote: It is the will of God that every man preach. It is not the will of God that every man be a bishop. Those that believe they have been called to be a pastor ought to do it decently and in order in compliance with God's word. I believe Mr. Spurgeon (and now Mr. Meadows) operated outside of God's word in not abiding by 1 Timothy 3. This doesn't mean God did not use Mr. Spurgeon and it does not mean he won't use Mr. Meadows.
Ive always have had a difficult time accepting the unwritten axiom that congregational pastors must meet the 'bishop' standard.
John UK wrote: Rufus, you and I disagree a bit on this. For example, when God calls a man to preach, he does not "bless his preaching anyway". If it is God's will that a man preach, he will bless him because it is his will to do so. If it is God's will that a 10 yr old girl witnesses to her aunty, her "ministry" will meet with success because she was called to do that....
It is the will of God that every man preach. It is not the will of God that every man be a bishop. Those that believe they have been called to be a pastor ought to do it decently and in order in compliance with God's word. I believe Mr. Spurgeon (and now Mr. Meadows) operated outside of God's word in not abiding by 1 Timothy 3. This doesn't mean God did not use Mr. Spurgeon and it does not mean he won't use Mr. Meadows.
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, impurity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." 1 Tim. 4:12-16.
First, like with marriage, can anyone truly be prepared for a pastorate except the Lord has called them. Most seminarians who went there straight from college will say that they learnt more in their first pastorate than they learn in school. Even preacher's kids that become pastors realize they didn't know what their parents went through.
Second, a pastoral counselor does not call people to themselves. We call them to sound doctrine from the scripture. Not our stories and life experience but scriptural teaching. Counseling is not about us.
Thirdly, I guess 1 Tim. 3:4-5 in light of some interpretations would ban any man from pastoring that could not have kids, even though they are married.
Well I wouldn't let a nineteen year old teach me anything - just saying. I'm under the impression that a man's ministry is shown by it's fruit, so I guess it's wait-and-see. Nice costumes.
It all goes back to the bible, is he married, one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in sujection with all gravity, not a novice, I also would look at his doctrine which in many of cases these young men would not know truth from a hole in the ground, he may speak good talk about what he believes but when it comes to useing the word of God two differnt things. Also there is a differance in being a king an one being a pastor.
Is this scriptural? As far as I can tell, most young priests in the bible were under the tutelage of the elder priests. For this young man to be preaching at the age of six, and then becoming an ordained minister at the age of nine, speake volumes about the maturity of the church leaders...Bottom line, they are out of line with scripture unless, someone can give me a scriptural reference that proves otherwise.
That thought crossed my mind, Mike, but it seems to me that a Pastor should basically be the mentor, even for the elders. Not that he should take everything upon his shoulders, but it seems to me that a Pastor should be the final say, the problem solver, and the dispenser of wisdom when others are at a loss. I don't know, a 19yr old head of a church, and dispenser of truth to the faithful just seems oddly young. But then again, these are just my thoughts and he could very well have been called; being ahead of his time spiritually.
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Dr. Steven J. Lawson | 9/27/2010
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