Too young to preach? There’s no such thing

It was August 2021. I was just 15 years old, and my former youth worker asked me if I would like to preach one Sunday. I’ll admit that I felt slightly daunted by the prospect, but I agreed.

In the four years since, nearly every time I have delivered a sermon, I have heard the same response: “It’s nice to have someone so young preaching!” And I understand why. I mean, when was the last time someone under the age of 25 spoke in your church?

At 19, I already have a fair amount of preaching experience under my belt, but I am the exception, rather than the rule. Most young people have never preached - nor even thought about whether they feel called to so.

I wonder why this is, considering what the Bible actually says.

Young and gifted

Think about Paul’s words to Timothy: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you (1 Timothy 4:12-14).

Timothy, although young, is gifted in teaching others and preaching the word. His youth does not disqualify him. God’s Church is not limited to retirees. He called lots of people at a young age: Joseph was 17 (Genesis 37:2). Ezekiel was 30 (Ezekiel 1:1). There are many other youth in the Bible who do incredible things including Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:7), Samuel (1 Samuel 3:1-10), David (1 Samuel 17:33) and Daniel (Daniel 1:1-6). The disciples of Jesus were probably in their teens. So was his mother, Mary, when an angle appeared to her and she sang the Magnificat in response (Luke 1:46-55).

Churches say they desire to raise up the next generation of leaders, but are we actively doing it?

The idea that all preachers need to be approaching retirement is not just limiting those with gifts (which then remain undiscovered). It’s antithetical to how God calls his servants.

Since the day I first preached, my voice has deepened and I’ve learned to slow down a bit, but I realise how formative that early experience was in my journey of faith. It helped me to see that preaching isn’t just for pastors, but for anyone whom God calls.

Is the ministering of the word a monopoly in your church, confined to the pastor, or an occasional visiting speaker?

Trained to lead

In working with K180, one of our primary visions is to raise up, train and equip young evangelists for the work of the gospel. We do not have age limits on who can preach or share. If you are called by God to, like Timothy, “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5), you are welcome.

Charles Spurgeon gave his first sermon at 16 - and within a year, he was the pastor at Waterbeach Baptist Church, moving to London a few years after. Robert Murray M’Cheyne started to preach in his early 20s.

If we are serious about wanting God to move - as he did with preachers such as these - why don’t we make way for more voices from the front? God can certainly speak through your young adults. Why would he not?

Perhaps you’re a pastor or preach regularly in your church. Why not run workshops or classes to fan into flame the gift in others? Encourage your church members to think about their spiritual gifts and calling - I guarantee some will have never considered it. Others will need help to identify them.

A God-given mix of apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers are placed in every church, for the church. But do people have the space and freedom to exercise those gifts?

The Bible says we are “one body with many parts” (1 Corinthians 12). This includes our young people. We can’t just tell them to get a proper job and come back in five years. Many who hear that message simply won’t come back and do the second part!

Putting it into practice

In the Baptist MARKS of Ministry – which is equally applicable to all denominations - the “R” of the ‘Relational Approach to Leadership’ is defined as: “Inspirer, encourager and enabler of others”. Do you do that? Do you release, commission, motivate and empower people in your congregation?

Charles Spurgeon gave his first sermon at 16 - and within a year, he was a pastor

Many churches say they desire to raise up the next generation of leaders, but is that something we are actively doing? At my previous church in London, the pastor was very keen on raising up young leaders and preachers in the congregation – so he intentionally made space for them to, well, lead and preach! Even those, like me, who aren’t pastors can play our part in doing that. As a member of the gathered Church, are you also helping younger people to see the gifts and callings that God has placed on their lives?

I want to be part of a Church where no one ever says to me: “It’s great to have someone young preaching!” Not because it’s untrue, but because it is not unusual.

Young people aren’t the future of the Church. They are part of the Church today– just like everyone else.They are here, and they bring all of their God-given gifts with them.

How is your church helping them to explore and utilise those gifts, for the building up of the whole body? Making space is only the start. Invite a young adult to preach; help a young person to explore their calling. God “pours out his Spirit on all people” (Acts 2:17) - are you ready for the results?