I’m not a conventional missionary, and I’m not a conventional preacher.  So, what you’re going to get in this article is not conventional.  But, if we allow our preconceptions and expectations line up with our true commission, I think we’ll be able to get a lot more accomplished for the Kingdom.  After all, that’s what we’re after right?

This is a reality check for those that want to “work” for the gospel.  There are many different ways to enter into the work, but I’ve noticed that many people usually think you enter into it as you would any other secular job.  However:

Did you know that you don’t have to go to seminary or special schooling to preach the gospel?
Did you know that you don’t need a church or organization to send you out?
Did you know that you don’t need a church building to preach?
Did you know that you don’t need a church gathering to have an audience?
Did you know that preaching the gospel is simple?
Did you know that the message of the gospel is simple to preach?

The church is not a corporate business and preaching the gospel isn’t a job to “get”.  I have a feeling that the gospel proclamation is often hindered by people’s preconceived ideas and expectations of what is required of them, and/or, the desire and status of position in the eyes of man.

You don’t need special schooling or training to preach the gospel?
Seminary and any training is great, but it isn’t NECESSARY.  If you can get it, and if you feel the Lord wants you to go, then go, but don’t feel that it is a requirement that you have some kind of seminary degree before you can become a preacher.  The question to ask is, what is your goal?  Are you trying to impress men by creating an attractive resume so you can get a job in the church?  Or are you simply trying to preach the gospel?  What are your motives, men’s praise and admiration of your knowledge and articulation, or is it to fulfill the gospel commission?  When I was first born again I wanted to become a teacher of some sorts.  Once I get kicked off my prideful horse I was riding, I realized that my motives were to get the admiration of men rather than simply proclaiming the gospel.  The Lord may be telling you to go to school, but realize if He isn’t it’s no big deal and it’s not necessary.  Don’t go simply because it’s what other people do, and don’t go because other people tell you it’s required.
In my opinion, you need to learn how to be trained by the true teacher, the Holy Spirit, first.  Don’t substitute learning from Him with man.  Sometimes it will be the longer route, but it will always lead to the right path.  The best training I receive comes from assimilating the gospels, prayer, fasting, and going. 

You don’t need a church or organization to send you out?
Again, nice, but not necessary.  You need to have a sure conviction and understanding of your specific calling by the Lord Himself, and that is really all you need.  Go read Galatians 1:1.  We need to have the understanding that we are neither called by man or sent by man.  If you aren’t fully convinced that you are called or sent, go first to assimilate the gospels, I firmly believe as you do this you will receive your calling. 
The only thing man’s references does is please other men.  Remember, the Kingdom doesn’t operate like corporate America.  If your intention is to enter the “church circuit” and play the game, then yes, you’ll need the praises of men to accomplish that, but if you’re genuinely motivated to preach the gospel, the praises of men can come or go. 
Let me ask you this…where are you going that you need to be sent?  Are you going to the church to preach the gospel? Or are you going to the world to preach the gospel?  You see, the religious will require references, the lost won’t.  All the lost will require is a genuine representation and demonstration of the gospel.  Take a minute to check your motives and examine your heart.

You don’t need a church building to preach?
Imagine that.  Maybe Jesus really meant what He said when He told us to go into the world and preach the gospel.  If you’re a preacher, it’s to preach the gospel to the lost, not to the found.  Remember, it’s the sick that need the physician.  Naturally the question is “Well, where do I preach if not in a church?”   Where the world is, you preach.  It could be on a street corner, it could be one-on-one sharing, it could be door-to-door, it could be talking with your neighbor, as a matter of fact, it’s a mixture of it all.  It’s my opinion that you should be able to preach the gospel on a street corner as well as share the gospel with a precious grandma on her doorstep.  Both require different methods, but both requirem the same message.  You should be able to proclaim it in a shout or a whisper.  A preacher is a proclaimer.  The proclamation is for the world, not for the church.  Open your front door and you’ll see your pulpit.

You don’t need a church gathering to preach?
As mentioned above, the world is your pulpit and the people is your audience.  All you have to do is tell them about the Kingdom of God.  Many people will ignore you, most will be offended, but a few will enter into the Kingdom you preach.  You’re not there for the masses, you’re there to find the few that are ready to enter in.  Leave the 99 (the church) and go out to find the 1 (the world).

Preaching the gospel is simple?
Remember, ask yourself, are you pleasing man or God?  If you’re trying to please man, preaching the gospel will be complex, if you’re trying to please God preaching the Gospel is simple.  There’s nothing more simple than standing on a street corner and telling people that the Kingdom of God is here and it’s available for them to enter into it.  Oh, but there is nothing more foolish!!  Remember, the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those that are perishing, but to those that believe it is the power of God.  If you don’t appear foolish to the world to some extent I wonder if you’re really preaching the gospel.  If we’re trying to keep our dignity and respect, YES!, the gospel is complex because we are trying to do it in man’s wisdom.  If you are simply trying to preach the gospel despite the faces of men, oh it’s a breeze to stand up and say “Repent, the Kingdom of God is here!”.  Men will frown and be offended, but God will smile and be pleased.  Who’s opinion are you more interested in?

The message of the gospel is simple to preach?
Preaching the gospel is not in wise words or flowery speech to show off the wisdom of man.  It’s in the simplicity and foolishness of the message of the cross.  I will write a completely seperate article for this, but for now I will tell you that the Kingdom of God is not complicated to explain to people.  If we position ourselves to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what the Kingdom of God is, we will be much better off than pouring over books and commentaries on the subject.  The message of the gospel is simple to preach when you have a revelation of it, not simply head knowledge.  My advice, assimilate the gospels and learn about this Kingdom you are going to preach.

See, now you don’t have an excuse.  No more searching the internet for “How to become a preacher” looking for the easy way out.  It’s time to spend some time with THE preacher Himself and learn from Him.  There is no short cut.  It only comes from the presence of Him, anything else comes from man and is subject to man.  Build your foundation on a sure rock, not politics.  Simply, “Go”, and preach the gospel.