This is the on preaching podcast with H.B. Charles Jr. The podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

Good day and thanks for listening to the podcast.

In this episode, I want to give free advice to young ministers.

In my travels these days, I am periodically asked by some young inspiring minister. Pastor Charles, what advice would you give to a young minister?

To be honest, I'm asked this question these days, not just periodically, but pretty regularly.

And my first response to hearing this question is to give a sort of deer in the headlights

look, I'm sure, because every time I get this question, I am reminded, acutely reminded that I am now old enough

for young preachers to be asking me what an older preacher would say to a young preacher.

That's cool. I'm grateful for the years of service. And whatever time God gives me, in the days ahead,

I want to serve the local church he has called me to. And I also want to be a blessing to pastors,

particularly young, nurturing, developing, aspiring pastors.

Usually when I'm asked this question and I don't have a lot of time to answer, I quote

scripture.

A couple of passages that I regularly quote, really two of them are 1 Timothy chapter 4 verse 16 where Paul instructs

Timothy to keep a close watch on your life and on your doctrine, to persevere in doing so

to ensure your salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

I also quote, second Timothy chapter 2, verse 15.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

I admit I quote scripture when I don't have a lot of time to say anything else,

but that is not a brush off. The best advice is biblical advice. I would also say that the best advice is personal

advice. Rather than this free advice from a voice on the podcast that you may not know personally.

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