Since elders are not directly involved in sermon preparation, and in most cases have not received formal theological train­ing, it can be asked whether they are able to truly supervise the preaching. The answer is a wholehearted "Yes!" if and when they themselves submit to God's Word; if and when they acquaint themselves more and more with the Scriptures; or ­as the form for their ordination says — when they train them­selves in godliness and diligently search the Scriptures. The answer is "Yes!" if and when they prayerfully rely on the promises the Lord gives them for their office.

This article discusses the role of the elder in regard to the tasks of overseeing, evaluating, and encouraging the preaching of the Word. It explains that the priority in evaluating sermons is whether the text itself was preached.