Is age a problem?

quoted from a book titled prayer and spiritual warfare-sermons of Charles H Spurgeon...Introduction:
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born on June 19, 1834, at Kelvedon, Essex, England, the firstborn of eight surviving children. His parents were committed Christians, and his father was a preacher. Spurgeon was converted in 1850 at the age of 15. He began to help the poor and to hand out tracts; he was known as "The Boy Preacher."His next six years were eventful. He preached his first sermon at the age of SIXTEEN. At age eighteen, he became the pastor of Waterbeach Baptist Chapel, preaching in a barn. Spurgeon preached OVER SIX HUNDRED TIMES BEFORE HE REACHED THE AGE OF TWENTY. By 1854, he was well-known and was asked to become the pastor of New Park Street Chapel in London. In 1856, Spurgeon married Susannah Thompson: they had twin sons, both of whom later entered the ministry. Spurgeon's compelling sermons and lively preaching style drew multitudes of people, and many came to Christ. Soon, the crowds had grown so large that they blocked the narrow streets near the church. Services eventually had to be held in rented halls, and he often preached to congregations of more than ten thousand. The Metropolitan Tabernacle was build in 1861 to accommodate the large numbers of people.Spurgeon published over thirty-five hundred sermons, which were so popular that they sold by the ton. At one point, his sermons sold twenty-five thousand copies every week. The prime minister of England, members of the royal family and Florence Nightingale, among others, went to hear him preach. Spurgeon preached to an estimated ten million people throughout his life. Not surprisingly, he is called the "Prince of Preachers."In addition to his powerful preaching, Spurgeon founded and supported charitable outreaches, including educational institutions. His pastor's college, which is still in existence today, taught nearly nine hundred students Spurgeon's time. He also founded the famous Stockwell Orphanage.Charles Spurgeon died in 1892, and his death was mourned by many....
okay marksman, do you want to tell me again about doctrine that is so firm as to not allow youth to be involved in leading and preaching? Remember that not only did Spurgeon dedicate all but the first 15 yrs of his life to preaching, but his dad was also a pastor/minister who would have put his foot down had age truly been an issue...so where is that doctrine that Paul so firmly put into place? Once again, I can see man putting in his two cents for the Word to create a doctrine that suits the purpose of man and not God, in your argument.

let me ask you this marksman: do you believe that young people are able to share wisdom with anyone, or is that reserved for the aged and leaders?
Again you have missed the point of what I said. My comments relate almost in their entirety to the leadership of the local assembly which is reserved for older men according to scripture. Go to http://churchalive66.googlepages.com and you will see the whole topic set out there as recorded in scripture.From my experience of 54 years as a christian, I have found that older men usually have more wisdom than younger men. That is one of the reasons I let myself be discipled by a man old enough to be my father. I saw his wisdom in action and his graceful spirit which made me want to experience the same.Jesus last command was to make disciples. As I have been in senior management in business and trained staff, I know that the principle works of older wisdom teaching younger enthusiasm.
Once again, I can see man putting in his two cents for the Word to create a doctrine that suits the purpose of man and not God, in your argument.
I am fully aware of Charles Spurgeon as I was saved and brought up in the Baptist Church. I started preaching at the age of 14 and was regularly doing so by the age of 17. Despite that fact, I was in no way qualified to assume a leadership role in the local assembly which is what I have been talking about. Again I need to emphasise that you don't form a doctrine with one example. There have been exceptional people down through history that have broken the mould but that does not negate the truth of scripture. David was chosen by God and was an exceptional leader, despite the fact that he murdered someone. Does that mean we can form a doctrine that says it doesn't matter if you murder you can still lead the church?As for creating a doctrine that suits the purposes of man, I would counsel you to go to the website that I have referred to before you say anything else as you will find there that the scriptures are quite clear on leadership in the church so I do not need to form a doctrine. My only doctrine in this matter is what the scriptures say and I might add what 40 other authors have said about the subject which is there as well. What doctrine does suit the purposes of man is the creation of a one man paid pastor/CEO headship which cannot be found anywhere in scripture as you will see in the teaching on the website.

(marksman;44674)
Again you have missed the point of what I said. My comments relate almost in their entirety to the leadership of the local assembly which is reserved for older men according to scripture.
no I haven't missed the point sir.
Again I need to emphasise that you don't form a doctrine with one example. There have been exceptional people down through history that have broken the mould but that does not negate the truth of scripture.
if there is exception to the "mould?" then it is not true doctrine...IMO. Sound doctrine should not waiver. Should it? Take the doctrine of Salvation for example. It is completely sound and unshakable, no execptions to the rule/mould. I think too that we need to remember Timothy....don't you?Nope, age is NOT an issue except in the eyes of man, especially those who are set in their ways and have lived by the rules of churchiosity...

Nope, age is NOT an issue except in the eyes of man, especially those who are set in their ways and have lived by the rules of churchiosity...
This statement reveals your lack of wisdom and your immaturity. Basically what you are saying is what the scripture says is not relevant because I will believe what I want to believe. That is commonly know as situational theology. I am pleased that God is set in his ways and I do not have to rely on the interpretations of people who in all probability have not spent a lifetime studying the bible, aquiring four degrees and a library of over a thousand books 98% of which have been read. After all he did say that he was the same yesterday, today and forever. Instead of pompously attacking one who is much older than you which is forbidden in scripture, may I suggest that you get off your high horse for a while and study the contents of my website which sets out what the scripture says about leadership and age. For a start, there are 17 verses in the new testament that state quite clearly in the greek that elders are older senior men. There is not one verse that says an elder can be a young man. Incidentally, have you studied the Greek of the original text? I would suggest that God is very set in his ways considering this weight of evidence and somehow I don't think he is tainted with what you quaintly call churchiosity. The web site is http://churchalive66.googlepages.com

no I haven't missed the point sir.

okay marksman, do you want to tell me again about doctrine that is so firm as to not allow youth to be involved in leading and preaching?
I repeat you have missed the point. I have made no comment about youth leading and preaching. My comments and website are an explanation of leadership of the local assembly which I have said more than once but you seem unable to grasp. Can I suggest too that sarcasm is not the way to win an argument.

to begin with sir, I was not being sarcastic in any way. Secondly you make a point of telling me which attitudes will or will not win an argument in the next breath, after calling me immature, lacking wisdom, and incapable of grasping...you tell me that what I have said is what is called situational theology...hmmmmm. As for your website, resume and reading skills I've seen enough. I read as much as I needed to know where you stand on many matters including the role of women in the church. SOOOOO, that being said, again I have not missed your point. I am not obtuse sir and would appreciate if you don't allude to such in the future, thank you very much. and since this conversation has gone from bad to worse, I bid you adieu...blessings

(marksman;44854)
This statement reveals your lack of wisdom and your immaturity. Basically what you are saying is what the scripture says is not relevant because I will believe what I want to believe. That is commonly know as situational theology. I am pleased that God is set in his ways and I do not have to rely on the interpretations of people who in all probability have not spent a lifetime studying the bible, aquiring four degrees and a library of over a thousand books 98% of which have been read. After all he did say that he was the same yesterday, today and forever. Instead of pompously attacking one who is much older than you which is forbidden in scripture, may I suggest that you get off your high horse for a while and study the contents of my website which sets out what the scripture says about leadership and age. For a start, there are 17 verses in the new testament that state quite clearly in the greek that elders are older senior men. There is not one verse that says an elder can be a young man. Incidentally, have you studied the Greek of the original text? I would suggest that God is very set in his ways considering this weight of evidence and somehow I don't think he is tainted with what you quaintly call churchiosity. The web site is http://churchalive66.googlepages.com
May I suggest it is you on the highhorse here your website is not the point here And pushing it on everyone proves nothing the subject of this thread is "IS AGE A PROBLEM'" Not leadership of a church an NO!!!..... age is not a problem with God and Wisdom of the Word Wisdom comes from God not rules and God gives it as the spirit of one can understand it and God doesnt look at birth certificates If you want to discuss church leader ship start an new thread thats not what this one is about and I dont appreciate your attitude toward sister Jackie for making this very point

However, the Bible told us that a church leader should not be a novice in the faith, lest he be lifted up with pride and fall into Satan's trap.
As this was one of the quotes form the first post in this thread, my comments aobut church leadership is relevant.
All of that training hasn't taught you to make assumptions? Perhaps you would like to talk about Mark or King David? Maybe Joshua? My point is God uses whom he pleases.
I don't need to make assuptions if the scripture is very clear and 17 verses about church leadership that all say the same thing is as clear as you can get.
Also, since we want to discuss exegesis so much, why don't you show me a verse where it's specifically prohibited since we agree that the Word is very direct.
Acts 11:30; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:2; Acts 15:4; Acts 15:6; Acts 15:22+23; Acts 16:4; Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; Acts 21:18; Acts 22:5; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 4:14; 1 Tim 5:17; Titus 1:5; Heb. 11:2; James 5:14: 1 Peter 5:1; 1Tim 3:1; 1 Tim 5:1; 1Tim 5:19; 1 Peter 5:5; All these verses talk about elders. In the Greek the word means elderly, older, senior in EVERY case. Accepted exegesis by professors of theology is that where no alternative is mentioned, the stated case is the only accepted one.
May I suggest it is you on the highhorse here your website is not the point here And pushing it on everyone proves nothing
I am not pushing it on anyone. I don't believe in doing the hard work if someone else has done it, that is why I consulted with over 40 other authors when I was writing my thesis. There are people out there who want to learn so all I am doing is giving them the opportunity to do so. The choice is entirely theirs. If you don't want to, I am not at all worried about the fact.
I read as much as I needed to know where you stand on many matters including the role of women in the church.
I am making an assumption here which may be wrong, but it seems that you disagree with what I said about the role of women in the church. That being the case, can you provide us with what the scripture does say about women and leadership in the church?
and I dont appreciate your attitude toward sister Jackie for making this very point
Life is full of things that we don't appreciate and the measure of our maturity is how we handle them. I don't appreciate someone as young as you telling me what is right and what is wrong but I am mature enough to let it go through to the keeper as I know your comment is a product of immaturity as I would have probably responded the same way when I was your age so I understand your response.
I read as much as I needed to know where you stand on many matters including the role of women in the church.
You will not get any benefit from the teaching unless you read all of it as each page is related to the previous topic. As I said, you don't form a doctrine on one or two verses of scripture or one or two pages of text. In the new testament church, they read out Paul's letters (epistles) in their entirety to the congregation, not just one or two verses (which didn't exist in those days).

quoteLife is full of things that we don't appreciate and the measure of our maturity is how we handle them. I don't appreciate someone as young as you telling me what is right and what is wrong but I am mature enough to let it go through to the keeper as I know your comment is a product of immaturity as I would have probably responded the same way when I was your age so I understand your response. Quote:.................Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: that means to teach a thing a truth And I dont know who you think you are talking to but just what makes you think I am so young so sense age matters so much to you the question is how dare you speak to me this Way !!!!!!with such immaturity I happen to be grandmother so stick that in your mouth with your foot and I will tell you what you little whiper snaper if you understood scripture as you claim you would understand keep silent in church was refering to gossip. I suggest you do a study on the women of the bible and futher more God says church is where two or more gather in my name so all your little rules are worthless except if we need to apply them they can to be used as guides if understoodonly so get off yes I say get your high horse.English Word :Whiper Snapper:-unruly child

And so do you propose to redefine novice to also mean young in age?

Click to expand...

As he didn't quote a verse, I cannot answer your question.

As I rather clearly stated, I'm not looking for negative examples, it seems you have a little trouble here. Simply because these verses use the term "elder" does not qualify them as saying something about who can do what. Again, you want to talk about exegesis...

Click to expand...

Having 17 verses that say the same thing are not negatives, they are positives as it is known as the general revelation of scripture. Since obtaining my theological degree and my university degree in Religious Studies, I have tended to follow accepted methodology taught by all my professors, bible encyclopedias and commentaries, that 17 verses on one subject that all say the same thing obviously are very clear teaching on a given subject. I would not be brave and foolish enough to ditch such learned advice and teaching because one person disagreed with me.

(Simply wanted to point out here - who gives the gift in the first place? The laying of hands is quite obviously just one way - or would you like to propose that it takes elders to give someone a gift from God?)

Click to expand...

You asked for a verse, I gave you verses so I cannot see the relevance of your comment.

Just quoted a few there, but I wanted to show what was being palmed off here.

Click to expand...

And your point is...?

that means to teach a thing a truth

Click to expand...

This statement doesn't make sense.

so sense age matters so much to you

Click to expand...

THis statement doesn't make sense.

if you understood scripture as you claim you would understand keep silent in church was refering to gossip.

Click to expand...

What I understand is what I was taught by my professors and the content of biblical encyclopedias and commentaries and that is in the synagogue men sat on one side and women on the other. When a person was teaching, it was quite in order for the men in the congregation to ask questions of the speaker as he was talking. Women were not allowed to do the same, so some of them asked their husbands across the room so that he could ask the speaker for clarification. Paul was saying that women should not do this. If they had a question, they should ask their husbands at home.

I suggest you do a study on the women of the bible

Click to expand...

I have done a study of women in the New Testament in my study of leadership of the New Testament church. The overwhelming evidence is that women were not appointed elders. I have dialoged with women in leadership and none of them have disagreed with me.

yes I say get your high horse.

Click to expand...

Can you tell me where I can get one as I am not into equestrian circles?

futher more God says church is where two or more gather in my name so all your little rules are worthless

Click to expand...

This statement is illogical especially as I have not made up any rules. All I have done is explain what scripture says.

I happen to be grandmother so stick that in your mouth with your foot and I will tell you what you little whiper snaper

Click to expand...

Do I assume that this is a mature response? The spelling by the way is "whipper snipper".