Let's try a discussion that will benefit us all. What is the value of the pulpit? Why preach? Who can preach? What role does preaching have in the church? Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?
What happens when someone preaches? Is preaching a calling or a vocation?
So many questions. Step in and raise some issues, and after you talk, I'll talk back. I want to know what you think.
9 comments:
I think that anyone that is learned of the Bible could preach. As long as there isn't any false doctrine being taught, then I don't really think there could be an issue..maybe people like the way he/she preaches, but either way it's God's Word being taught. I think a pastor needs to be selfless in how he/she preaches. They should let God take control of the message and take no credit for it.
I think preaching is important and you need to have it in your life.
I would not say it is most important in a service because we do come to "worship and praise the Lord"... I think most important is worship and praise, offerings and prayer... oh well it is all very important.
But I think it is very important that you get preaching in your life. If it was not, then why did the Lord have his disciples out doing it. He could have just said go out and hand out my bibles. But he said preach the gospel.
I think preaching to a church is a calling. Calling because if you do decide to preach you better make sure you are really called. I do not think God would take lightly to you "messing up" and preaching something wrong, leading astray people, or setting a bad example. Which we are all guilty of but unfortunatly for pastors/teachers, they get held to a higher standard.
Does not sound like something someone picks for a vocation just because it sounds cool and brings in the $. (chuckling at that remark coming from a preachers family)
Preaching to our families is one that every dad/mom is called to.
I do not think Women should be pastors/preachers to a congregation... but on the other hand, I have sat under a women preacher for a time. Her husband was our pastor of a small church and he passed away. She stepped in for a time to fill the need. Was it our ideal situation, not really. But I think God was ok with it for a short period of time.
Two very good comments to begin our discussion. I will wait before I respond, if you don't mind. I want to listen for a little bit.
one clarifying note that Sean's post reminded me of: I'm asking about the role of preaching within the church setting or church led settings. not the individual evangelism setting. (In that sense, we are all preachers through our words and actions as we live among the lost.)
So, to summarize, I am not asking about individuals doing evangelism when I use the term preaching for the purpose of this post. I am asking about what could be called "church preaching."
I believe that the pulpit is a place of high honor and it should be treated so. James cautions us in Chapter 3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. It is a place the you reveal the word of God to people and should not be a bully pulpit.
Why preach? It is an integral part of learning about God and how we can directly apply His word into our daily lives. Sadly, this is the only vehicle that many people interact with God's word and they place all the eggs in that one Sunday morning basket.
Who can preach? I believe that in the church setting, the God has given this duty to men. So I would say that the pastor and elders can hold this role in the local church.
What role does it play? It is an important role but it is only one part of the worship experience. Worship should encompass our whole life daily. Worship is the way you live your life, spend your money, prayer, praise, Bible reading, honoring your spouse, kids, parents, etc. It's just not the sermon. I do think though that the sermon can be a catalyst to changing the way you see the world and a way to shed light of sin in your life. It begs you to apply the Word of God to your life. It changes you!
I guess I could probably add more but I have to run and teach a class.
By the way your preaching is awesome!
I'll be really literal here, since I more than likely won't give the type of answers you're looking for.
- What is the value of the pulpit?
That would depend on the person standing behind it.
- Why preach?
Because we all need to have a fresh prospective on God's word, regardless of personal commitment to studying it.
- Who can preach?
From my experience, anyone and everyone CAN.
- What role does preaching have in the church?
My feelings is that it sets the precedence for the church's track. If that makes sense.
- Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?
Greater. If a particular church has it wrong, will it do well appointing or choosing who or what to support.
- What happens when someone preaches?
That is a trick question, and I could give a lot of different answers. I think it's safe to say that people listen. Emotions and feelings are stirred, usually.
- Is preaching a calling or a vocation?
For some, it seems either. Paula White and Charles Stanley are both preachers, correct? Sam Kinison was a "preacher" too, but I wouldn't compare him to Greg Laurie.
Spell check didn't help me this time. I meant to type perspective, not prospective.
Andy,
don't see yourself short, brother. You know more than you give yourself credit for!
Hey Michael! I am going to borrow a bit from what Andy wrote...
- What is the value of the pulpit?
That would depend on the person standing behind it. Couldnt agree more on this one, we have many pastors who do not even understand that the FIRST call of the pulpit is to preach the gospel biblically, not some watered down, un offensive version of it that feeds itching ears.
- Why preach?
To lead the lost to Christ and grow the saved in Christ.
- Who can preach?
From my experience, anyone and everyone CAN. I agree, there is no where in the word where someone went to college, got some document that certified they were qualified to preach. I know MANY who are in pulpits who should not be, but are just cuz they have some piece of paper that supposidly gives them the right to. Sadder still is that people look for that validation from man to validate whether they are called or not. God is no respector of persons and He does not call the equipped, He equips the called. I wonder how many have not gone where they should go, cuz they didnt have a piece of paper gaining them access...hummmm. It is a double responsibility to those who are called to go and to the church to receive. Trust me I look at every person *outta the corner of my eye* after all we should be as the Beraens.
- What role does preaching have in the church?
Many times it is to promote itself. But in biblical terms it is to seek and save the lost. Our churches are feeding troughs of bible studies and discipleship classes and err one on how to biblically present the gospel to a lost soul. There is something seriously wrong with that picture, and we will be accountable for that.
- Should it be central or greater than other ministries? Why or why not?
What is done in the pulpit sets the tone for the whole church, so if it aint straight in the pulpit - it aint straight anywhere else either. Think of the head on a body whatever direction the head is turned in or NOT turned in is the direction the body will or will not go in.
- What happens when someone preaches?
question should be what SHOULD happen when someone preaches? SALVATION.
- Is preaching a calling or a vocation?
The great commission calls every single believer to preach the gospel, so no one gets out of it. It is merely manifested in different vocations. No matter what you do or where you are, it is a believers calling to reach the lost, some do it thru the pulpit, some thru writing, some by being a mom, a dad, a office worker, a janitor, a garbage man...it matters not the vocation, we are all called to reach the lost.
Here are some good reads. I also have a pdf of a book called Revivals Golden Key by Ray Comfort. His ministry Way of the Master (http://wayofthemaster.com)teaches how to biblically present the gospel, if you would like a copy of it let me know thru my face book.
http://www.graciesheart.com/HellsBestKeptSecret.pdf
http://www.graciesheart.com/TrueAndFalseConversion.pdf
In Him!
Cynthia Greiner
Cynthia, great response. I think there are a couple of things to add, and maybe an adjustment or two to make. Hope you don't mind!
So, I think I'll post a new post with my own answer.
(great to have someone with such a fine last name stopping by!)
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