Why do the well-known evangelists have their sons take over preaching in their organization? Do you believe?

Question

they are called of God to preach or are the evangelists trying to keep it in the family? What are your views on this?
Some examples are: Jimmy Swaggart, Billy Graham
Rev. John Cherry, Dr. Frederick Price, Joel Osteen, and Oral Roberts.

Answer 1

Many times in the Bible you will see this.The gift falls on the son.I believe that it is still true today.Gods gifts often flow from generation to generation.My pastors dad was a pastor and now his son is a pastor grandson has a heart to be a pastor.That will be 4 generations and I have no clue how far back it goes.I put my faith in God ,pastors are vessels they are not perfect.They are just as human as we are.If I can slip and sin ,so can they.<><

Answer 2

Some of them grow up with the expectation that they follow in their father's footsteps (this happens in other professions too, BTW).
However, I do not agree that the gift of teaching, preaching, evangelizing or pastoring is inherited. Each man or woman is gifted and called individually by God. I am rather skeptical that these sons mentioned, have the exact same abilities as the fathers. (Joel Osteen is probably more charismatic than his father, but is not nearly as well trained in theology -not a good thing, IMHO).
I think the one that surprises me the most is Franklin Graham, he sought to distance himself completely from his father's ministry and in his wild days, was pretty far from ever being a believer, let alone a minister. Even when he first got involved in ministry, he established his own way with Samaritan's Purse. It was years before he even got involved at all in the BGEA. I still think he was better off with Samaritan's Purse rather than doing a BG style stadium outreach; his sister Anne Graham Lotz is the better preacher/speaker anyway. If any child could inherit their parent's ministry gift, she certainly did!

Answer 3

I could not answer for all of them, but some definitely seem to be gifted to do so. Joel Osteen has grown into a very good preacher. Sometimes when he preached the word of God flows through his mouth like a gentle stream. John Cherry's son has also grown into a knowledgeable and gifted preacher.

Funny, when I saw some of these "sons" beginning their ministries I thought, man he terrib...uh, not good, but as time passed I seen God strenghten them to preach his Word. Doing something for the money is one thing, but you can tell if a man or woman is gifted of God to preach his Word. You can tell if the Spirit moves across your heart when they preach, striking the chords of your soul. They God that holy people can have holy children too.

Answer 4

Actually you might be surprised but alot of ministers children go into ministery and some take over what their dad or mom started and others start there own. It is how God leads. As far as tv ministers I do not know. I am leary of most tv ministers. Billy Graham son had his own ministry did not realize he was taking over his dad's ministry. I think he helps teens now. But his name is big because his dad's name is big But at one time Franklin Graham was not going to be a minister at all but God changed his heart. But what is important to note his reputation must be pretty good to be able to carry the name without black marks on his recorded since he started his ministry. That is what is important is if a minister reputation is intact. Some ministers are after money only and have no genuine care of people and others are very down to earth and care about everyone including people you might not wish to be in contact with. Just my to sense worth.

As a minister kid i can understand why people would think minister kid would follow in their parents footsteps but they better be following in God's footsteps to be a success. Without God all the work they do will come to not. It might look successful but it will fail.

Answer 5

When a family serves God together for a lifetime, it can be a natural progression. It doesn't always work that way, in fact, I would say most of the time it doesn't. It can be a really powerful ministry if it happens within a true God called ministry. And, of course, there are some that are fake Christians and in it for the money, power, and fame.

Answer 6

I think it is the same for ministers as it is for any father who has a son. They hope that they will follow in their footsteps and take over the family business. I have heard some wonderful preachers whose father's were ministers as well. In fact my mother-in-law has a relative who was a minister and his daughter is also a minister in the same faith. I especially enjoy hearing Franklin Graham and Robert Schuller's Son Robert Anthony preach. Dr. Schuller's Grandson is also studying for the ministry.

Answer 7

Of those you named, only Billy Graham is different. His son Franklin and his daughter Ann are in ministry, but each has a different ministry not associated with their father's ministry.

Swaggart, Price, and Roberts have their sons in the same ministry as they are. Looks bogus-don't it?

Answer 8

I totally believe it's like any other "business" they are trying to keep it in the family, let's face it, millions of dollars at stake.

Why would God just "happen" to call their sons and not others if He is so impartial.

Answer 9

Because their close family know their secrets and how to maintain congregation loyalty. It's the insider's information that keeps the cloud of deception in place.

Just like father passing the family business to the son

Answer 10

Because it's a business like any other with the only exception that they hide behind the word "religious" so they don't have to pay taxes.