A preacher is a person who delivers sermons or gives homilies, generally on religious topics, although one can also preach any of the components of any worldview or philosophy. Some see a preacher as distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined. Preaching is not limited to religious views, but it extends to moral and social world-views as well.
History
Preachers are common throughout most cultures. They can take the form of a Christian minister on a Sunday morning, or an Islamic Imam. A Muslim preacher in general is referred to as a Da'ee, while those giving sermons on a Friday afternoon are described as a khatib. The point of Christian preaching is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, an integral part of Christian liturgy.
The preaching of sermons is prominent in Protestantism. Lay preachers often figure in these traditions of worship, for example the Methodist local preachers. Among Roman Catholics, the Dominican Order is officially known as the Order of Preachers (Ordo Praedicatorum in Latin); friars of this order were trained to publicly preach in vernacular languages, and the order was created by Saint Dominic to preach to the Cathars of southern France in the early thirteenth century.
In many churches in the United States, the title "Preacher" is synonymous with "Pastor" or "Minister", and the church's minister is often referred to simply as "our/the preacher" or by name such as "Preacher Smith". Sometimes the minister may even be addressed by using the word, such as "Good morning, Preacher".
However, among some Chinese churches, preacher (Chinese:傳é") is different from pastor (Chinese:牧師). A preacher refers to the younger clergy in the Protestant church who are not officially recognised as a pastor until they can prove their capability of leading the church. A preacher cannot administer sacrament, for example the holy communion and the baptism.
Other uses
- Preacher is also the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes according to the King James Version. Preacher is the translation of the Hebrew word ק×"לת (Qoheleth). There is much debate about the identity of the Preacher; many believe it is Solomon.
See also
Media related to Preachers at Wikimedia Commons
- List of Christian preachers
- List of Da'is
- Preacher's kid
- Prison minister
References
