"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2)

Jonathan Reeder

Jonathan began serving as a preacher for our church in June 2023.  Born and raised in North Alabama, he has preached for churches in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, and Iowa, and has made two evangelistic trips to Brazil.  He has also worked in higher education for state universities, but now dedicates his time to studying and teaching the Bible.

What does a preacher do?  The job description is in 2 Timothy 4:2-5:

“Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.  Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Four words in this passage describe the preacher’s work:

• Preacher emphasizes the role of a messenger or herald.  What is announced?  The “word,” or “Scripture” (2 Tim. 3:14-17).  The authority and influence of the message does not reside in the messenger, but in God (1 Corinthians 2:1-5).

• Teacher is the most basic description of someone who learns what the Bible says and shares that knowledge with others (1 Tim. 4:13-16).  This knowledge is not merely academic but is an understanding of God’s book that results in loving, devoted obedience.

• Evangelist highlights the fact that the Gospel, or “good news,” is the foundation, core, and sum of what is preached with all humility, urgency, clarity, and love (Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-13).

• Minister stresses that the work is service – to God, to His message, and to others.  This role is not that of a pastor, elder, or bishop (see the link Our Elders) or any sort of administrator, but a servant trying to be like Jesus (Matthew 20:25-28; Colossians 1:27-29).

Can we assist you in learning the Bible in your search for truth?  Will you join us as we aim to grow together and know God more fully?

We invite you to visit us during our regular services, or to suggest a time when you would like to study the Bible with some of the men and/or women of our church at a place that is convenient for you.  To reach us, select Contact on the top menu and let us know how we can serve you.  You can also find us on Facebook and communicate with us there.  We pray that God bless you in your search for truth.