Integrity in the Pulpit
Have you ever wondered why comedians, media and other medium find so much amusement in poking fun at the pulpit preacher, especially the fundamentalist? Why the TV preacher is so vulnerable to mockery? Did you listen to any of them long enough to truly realize what is being said? Have you taken the time to really evaluate their message?
How about your local pastor can he/she stand the scrutiny of a mistrustful society? Does it disturb you if what is being said is more fiction than fact?
All these questions and more have haunted me for years. How can I trust any of what is being said when I know positively some portions are false?
Having attended many, many conferences and meetings within different denominational settings, I have heard many of the same stories with a slightly different twist. Usually these are stated as “true stories” and are told in a way to compel you to move into or to accept some kind of discipline urged by the speaker. You are told these disciplines will get you what you want. They will make your life better and you will be rewarded with a supernatural bonus of some kind. Most of them deliver nothing but disappointment. Some call it the name and claim game. This in essence allows you to begin making a claim on that big new Cadillac and as you continue to claim it in Jesus name you will get it. Of course this is also practiced with other areas of your life. Your spouse will become what you want. Your dream job will open up for you. Your bank account will increase with no input from you. Just name and claim it.
I am one who believes very strongly in the power of God. I trust Him to keep His word to me in all ways. I have experienced His power in my life and in the lives of family members and acquaintances. I know how to seek His ways in times of hardship and times of great bliss. I have experienced His divine intervention in my life on more than one ocassion. I know He can make the unbelivable come true.
I am also one who is troubled by all the religious jargon that takes place every time a meeting is held whether it is in the local church, the scheduled week-end conference, or the local TV station. Jargon does not tell the Kingdom story. Jargon does not help me to grow in Spiritual matters. When I take the time to dissect what is being said and compare it with what Jesus said I find very few comparisons and many times I fine none at all. Jargon is just so much gobbledygook.
I have heard a tremendous amount of sermons that brought me to tears, sometimes tears of joy, sometimes of remorse, but when I pondered them in a more serene atmosphere I found them to be empty and void of God’s true love. They were just a vehicle to move me from one box to another.
Jesus in all His teachings always motivated me to move on to a higher spiritual plane; a continued upward spiral. His teaching was one that went to the heart rather than the emotion. Emotions may play a part in movement for a moment, but it is the heart that changes a lifestyle forever.
Please Reverend Goodpreacher, don’t tell me another fictitious story to move me up to the front of the building, tell me what Jesus did or said, and tell it in a truthful manner that I can understand. Tell me something I can take home with me to study, explore and apply to my life.
August 24, 2009 at 12:02 am |
ezepastor7
Haven’t you heard, “Jesus told parables to illustrate His teachings? So what is wrong with telling stories in order to get a point across?
Pastors have obligations to meet. Our churches are dedicated to a certain ministry and we must do all we can to get our message out. If telling a story, even for the hundredth time, will help us meet our objections then tell a story we will. I am sorry if it does not meet your expectations is some way or other.
August 24, 2009 at 3:17 am |
Personally, I like stories. Jesus used them to illustrate His points. Understanding and applying the Scriptures can be a difficult task sometimes. Using a story to illustrate or shed some light in an area can be helpful. In addition, people will generally listen to stories. There is something about a good story that captivates the listener. History always bored me until I went to college. During my second semester, I had a history teacher who took a different approach. Instead of lecturing and spewing out facts, he presented the lessons from an historical viewpoint in story form. It was as if history came to life. With that in mind, I think preachers can do an effective job of presenting the gospel in story form. I think problems arise however, when the stories become the gospel. When preachers preach stories as scripture, they are nice to listen to, but is the message effective for living? It is almost like a can of soda water. It is nice going down, but when you examine the label, you discover there is little nutritional value, and in the long run causes more damage than it does good.
August 24, 2009 at 1:37 pm |
Jesus did use stories to make a point. His stories were designed to show a person their heart. He could look beyond what was being said and see what was being felt or thought by a person.
Most of Jesus’ parables were aimed at the Pharisees and or religious zealots. Jesus evidently wanted them to know all their piety was just empty talk because their actions did not match their words. Does this sound familiar?
I agree Jesus stories were designed to change the heart and not to manipulate emotions as so much of today’s preaching does.
When a preacher uses emotional stories, their loyal followers may not recognize the manipulation process however those outside the loop do and use it to poke fun at the preacher. That process brings a whole lot questionable integrity to the pulpit.
August 26, 2009 at 3:37 pm |
I think if the preacher heart & goals are right with God that stories can be very useful. I believe God speaks to us all & if the preacher is hearing & obeying God then the story he tells will have a very positive effect on people. We know we are not to judge one another & I think this goes for preachers also. We tend to hold them to a higher standard & if we can find fault with them somehow this tarnishes their message. The truth is we are all sinners but I can see yours or the preachers clearer than I can see my own. The best preacher would be one who doesnt elevate himself above his following & humble enough to see & seek forgiveness for his sins & never be too proud to admit this to his following. We should all seek the good in one another & pray for the things we find unworthy in a person, if we truely learn to forgive as Jesus has said we need to do than a whole lot of the stuff would get better.