How NOT to Approach the Task of Preaching
Wow…I’m sitting here stunned, flabbergasted at the article I just read on Rick Warren’s Pastor’s Toolbox, by a guy I have some admiration for, Steve Sjogren. Here’s the link:
Don’t Be Original; Be Effective
Do I borrow ideas from other preachers and commentators? Certainly, every week; depending on the circumstance, where it warrants it, I certainly give credit. But this article just maxes out on the utilitarianism that is rampant in contemporary evangelical circles, and it so clearly and unapologetically denies and denigrates the value of the “average preacher’s” work. The bottom line for Mr. Sjogren, it seems, is how many fannies we can get into the seats of our churches; “bigger is better”, don’t you know. And this idea that a pastor doing his work in the Word, seeking God’s face in prayer and reliance upon the Spirit (instead of snapping up a few sermon tapes from the superstars and adapting those messages for his own use) is an exercise in pride? Sorry, I gotta confess, it boggles my mind.
My first standard—admittedly, in this day and age when we are consumed with the “big”, a difficult one to remember sometimes—is not how many people I “attract” with my messages, but rather that I convey as accurately, humbly, and passionately as I can, the revealed Word of God, for the glory of God. I would advise any young preachers reading Sjogren’s article to go and do the opposite, almost, of what he suggests.
Here’s what Brent at Colossians 3:16 had to say…
This phrase comes from the 1978 "Jonestown massacre" in which most members of the Peoples Temple cult, blindly following their leader Jim Jones, committed suicide by drinking cyanide-laced Kool-Aid.
Osborne: A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God
Schlossberg: Idols For Destruction
3 Responses to “How NOT to Approach the Task of Preaching”
Dr. cho may have the biggest church in Korea, but I seriously doubt he’s even a Christian. It doesn’t surprise me that he would have to borrow other people’s sermons – he probably forgot that inspiration is Holy Spirit breathed, if he ever knew.
Mark Merritt ~ Oct 10, 2006 at 11:36 am
Steve Sjogren came to preach at our church approx. 2.5 years ago. Though I liked the work that put him on the map, “Conspiracy of Kindness,” I found his message to be somewhat of a joke. He really didn’t focus on the Scripture much, but rather made a case for being socially helpful. I’m not surprised in the least that Sjogren practically mocks that deeply wondrous, terrible, painful, joyful DISCIPLINE of working through the Word of God to deliver it to His people.
Is not one of the great blessings of personally working through the Bible and teaching exegetically also the transformation of the preacher himself? How much personal transformation, wrought by the Spirit and the Word, is there for the plagiaristic pastor? And therefore, how much of what he is preaching does he truly know and/or experience himself?
chad v. ~ Oct 11, 2006 at 10:28 am
Hear, hear, Senor Voller, trenchant points all.
Byron ~ Oct 11, 2006 at 6:49 pm