Corbridge Church: A Preaching Minister

The ancient parish church at Corbridge, Northumberland, has on its wall a list of vicars, as Anglican churches are wont to do. Appointed in 1650 was one Stephen Anderton, described in the archive as ‘a preaching minister’. One wonders what other kind of minister there is. By all means, a pastor should visit, pray, plan, manage and any number of other things. But let him first and foremost be a preacher. To open up the lively oracles of God is a calling most high; to rightly divide the word of God is privilege indeed. O God, raise up preaching ministers!

 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17