What is the difference between a preacher and a teacher?

[imperfectchristian]

?

 

[NacDan]

Whether you learn anything or not...my personal opinion is that "preachers" are the one's that hype everyone up, say a bunch of catch phrases, but at the end of the service everything of substance they had to tell you could have been put into one phrase.

Teachers on the other hand, will take a topic and explore or "exposit" it so that the hearer's will either learn something new or to look at a situation in a new light.

A better indication is whether later in the day we are talking about WHAT was said or HOW it was said.

Danny

 

[JimfromOhio]

In Ephesians 4:11 the words "pastors" and "teachers" may be joined together due to the nature of the Greek phrasing in that sentence as gift of pastor-teacher. "Pastor" refers to one who has a pastoral oversight over others as a "Shepherd". This position often requires by many Churches that pastors are to be "ordained". It is based upon the idea of shepherding and looks back to the pattern of Jesus, who described himself as "the good shepherd" (John 10:11) and is referred to as "the great" (Heb. 13:20) and "Chief Shepherd" of the sheep (1 Pet. 5:4).

Many will have this gift who are not ordained that falls under the category as "lay person" are evangelists, elder, deacon and Sunday school teachers. Another form of teaching is listed in Romans 12:8 "exhortation" follows immediately after teaching. The learned disciples are to encourage others to follow them as they follow Christ through their spiritual "wisdom" and "knowledge." Wisdom and knowledge are gifts particularly associated with the evangelistic, pastoral and teaching ministries. God uses people with the right life experiences by putting them through the right spiritual directions and teaching them the right spiritual lessons. Many people think that the mark of an authentic Christian is doctrinal purity; if a person's beliefs are biblical and doctrinally orthodox, then he is a Christian. People who equate orthodoxy with authenticity find it hard to even consider the possibility that, despite the correctness of all their doctrinal positions, they may have missed the deepest reality of the authentic Christian life. But we must never forget that true Christianity is more than teaching - it is a way of life. In fact, it is life itself. "He who has the Son has life," remember? When we talk about life, we are talking about something that is far more than mere morality, far more than doctrinal accuracy.

Regardless, all teachers are under God's view as explained in James 3:1 "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

 

[SavedByGrace3]

The two minsitries have different giftings that enable them to complete their ministries:
Rom 12:6
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

"Grace" in this context refers to the ministry gift (or body part) that has been assigned to you. A prophet will have certain giftings that enable him to fulfil the office of a prophet. An apostle will have giftings that will cause others to know that he is an apostile. In defending his position as an apostle, Paul points out:

2Co 12:12
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

If someone claims to be an apostle, we can expect to see signs and wonders and mighty deeds in his ministry.

If we compare two lists of ministry gifts in the NT, we find something interesting:

1Co 12:28
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Compared to:

Eph 4:11
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Notice the first list does not have evangeltists or pastors, and instead has some individual gifts:

"miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues...."

It is speculated that the evanglist will possess "miracles and gifts of healings" while the pastor will possess "helps, governments, and diversities of tongues..."
The giftings of a teacher is not listed. But we can reason that this gifting will include both revelation giftings and vocal giftings.
So the "sign gifts" of a teacher and the sign gifts of a pastor will differ... each having those gifts that will enable the ministry to be accomplished.

Another way to look at it is in 1 Corin 12:


1Co 12:4-7
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

God sets forth "operations," which would be considered larger scale movements.
Jesus sends forth administrations or ministers who will do the work to accomplish the "operation."
The Holy Spirit will give forth manifestations of the Spirit (gifts) that will enable the ministers to fulfil their ministries.

 

[heatherfb]

I always think that a preacher speaks forth or declare the word, while a teacher exponds and explains the word. I think teaching can be drawing out more from a passage, the more intricate details whilst preaching is more just stating 'as is'.

To be honest I think the two words are often used interchangeably and a lot of what we often call preaching can be quite deep teaching.

I guess I also think of preaching as being to a large group or cngregation while teaching would be more with a smaller group.

 

[talitha]

I personally believe that the Romans 12 gift of exhortation is the spiritual gift behind good preaching, and that (obviously) the gift of teaching is behind good teaching. I do not believe that these two gifts are commonly found in one person, and for the record, I believe that prophecy is a completely different gift. I believe a preacher/exhorter provokes an emotional response in people resulting in conviction of sin, righteousness, or judgment, and/or motivation toward change or toward spiritual progress. I believe that teaching deepens the well of spiritual knowledge and builds upon our wisdom and understanding. Preaching is for the will, and teaching is for the mind.

blessings
tal

 

[cyberlizard]

Whether you learn anything or not...my personal opinion is that "preachers" are the one's that hype everyone up, say a bunch of catch phrases, but at the end of the service everything of substance they had to tell you could have been put into one phrase.

Teachers on the other hand, will take a topic and explore or "exposit" it so that the hearer's will either learn something new or to look at a situation in a new light.

A better indication is whether later in the day we are talking about WHAT was said or HOW it was said.

Danny

that about sums it up for me!


Steve

 

[Andy S. Wright]

Volume level.

 

[JimB]

We are all called to be “preachers” of the Good News but not all of us are equipped to be “teachers” of sound doctrine. The “call” to preach is a general calling to all (Acts 1.8); the “call” to teach is a bit more specific (Eph. 4.11)

~Jim

Christianity without signs and wonders is just another religion.​

 

[He put me back together]

Preaching = Teaching - Substance + Volume

 

[JimB]

In the tradition I was brought up in, preaching just had more decibels and theatrics than teaching.

Teaching was a designation for those who could not “preach.”

~Jim

Christianity without signs and wonders is just another religion.​

 

[KingZzub]

I find it strange that most responses here appear negative about preaching.

I preach and I teach - sometimes both in the same message. For the last two Sundays I have taught - I even have the powerpoints to prove it! Next Sunday however, I will preach. Both are necessary!

Preaching tells you what to do; teaching tells you how to do it.

Preaching inspires; teaching informs.

You leave a preaching feeling you could take on the world.
You leave a teaching thinking about something new in the word.

Yes - there are bad preachers. And bad teachers.

But there are good preachers too as well as good teachers.

I remember being in a Jerry Savelle meeting in Wales, who I consider an excellent teacher, and he preached. I left that place feeling I could arm wrestle action man.

 

[KingZzub]

I personally believe that the Romans 12 gift of exhortation is the spiritual gift behind good preaching, and that (obviously) the gift of teaching is behind good teaching. I do not believe that these two gifts are commonly found in one person, and for the record, I believe that prophecy is a completely different gift. I believe a preacher/exhorter provokes an emotional response in people resulting in conviction of sin, righteousness, or judgment, and/or motivation toward change or toward spiritual progress. I believe that teaching deepens the well of spiritual knowledge and builds upon our wisdom and understanding. Preaching is for the will, and teaching is for the mind.

blessings
tal

Forgot to say - I really like this post. It is expressed really well.

 

[JimB]

I find it strange that most responses here appear negative about preaching.

I*****

Only if you lack a sense of humor, Ben.

~Jim

“Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia” is the fear of long words.​

​

 

[JimB]

Technically, “preach” is kerysso which means (according to Strong) (1) to be a herald, to proclaim after the manner of a herald always with the suggestion of formality, gravity, and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed and (2) to publish, proclaim openly (3) used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers.

“Teach” is didasko. The usual word for "teach" in the New Testament signifies either to hold a discourse with others in order to instruct them, or to deliver a didactic discourse where there may not be direct personal and verbal participation. In the former sense it describes the interlocutory method, the interplay of the ideas and words between pupils and teachers, and in the latter use it refers to the more formal monologues designed especially to give information. A teacher is one who performs the function or fills the office of instruction. Ability and fitness for the work are required. The title refers to Jewish teachers, John the Baptist, to Jesus, to Paul, and to instructors in the early church. Teaching, like preaching, was an integral part of the work of an apostle.

~Jim

“Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia” is the fear of long words.​

​

 

[Markus6]

Looking at the underlying Greek words the difference becomes pretty obvious. Those translated "preach" are "euaggelizo" (announce glad tidings, related to the modern "evangelism") and "kerusso" (to proclaim). It's use in scripture agrees with the definitions. It's normally directed towards the unsaved and the person is normally preaching "the gospel" or "Jesus Christ".

The Greek word translated "teach" is almost always "didasko". In scripture it's generally what goes on within the body of Christ. Unlike "announcing" it has more connotations of causing a person to learn.

"Teaching" would be more like what goes on in a school classroom and "preaching" more like what a herald or, in old England, a town crier would do (I can't think of a modern equivalent). Generally I think "preachers" nowadays are misnamed. Evangelists are preachers, pastors should be "teachers".

 

[heron]

Pastors, preachers, and teachers bring to mind three very different personality types.

 

[Yitzchak]

Teaching is imparting understanding. But I think preaching is an attempt to bring people to a decision point