Sacramento Bee - Fox 40 News - "Am I Being Painted As The Bad Guy?"
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 2:58 PM 
The Sacramento Bee ran an article this morning on pastors who use other pastors' messages as a source for ideas and content in their own preaching. This is something I've always done. It's no secret. No big deal. Nothing to be ashamed of... right?
Well, according to some of the Bee readers, you'd think I was a bad guy - that's for sure. And even the article... it has an unwritten bent that kinda makes me (and several thousand other pastors) out to be the rebels. You can read the article here.
To add to this seemingly benign FRONT PAGE article of the Bee... Fox 40 News called this morning and wants to do an on-camera interview tomorrow. Seriously? Is this really that big of a deal... well... except for the 5000 pastors who took "The Pastor's Pledge," promising to use the Bible as their primary sermon source?
WHOA! Wait a second. Who says that I'm not already using the Bible as my primary sermon source? Let's think about that for a moment. If Pastor Joe Schmoe was one of the elite and uber spiritual 5000 pastors who took the pledge - and he wrote a sermon with his primary source as the Bible... and then I wanted to preach it a year later... does that mean the sermon is no longer a Bible based sermon? Did somehow the Source get changed in that message?
Why can't I find a pastor who uses the Bible as his primary source and then utilize that great Biblical CONCEPT while tweaking it to fit my personality with personal stories and illustrations?
Seems like I should be able to be in the 'Bible Source Club' too. In fact, if you read this article - I think I'm already qualified to be one of the 5000 along with Pastor Schmoe. :) Additionally, the whole "Pastor's Pledge" was started by www.sermoncentral.com - a leading provider of sermons and sermon resources as a way to encourage pastors to focus on the Bible as they consult other resources for inspiration in communicating as effectively as possible.
What do you think... should I do the Fox 40 News interview... or am I being painted as the bad guy here? Comment below if you like.
Reader Comments (4)
Great blog Barry! Those were my thoughts when I read the article myself before your blog. By using other Biblical based sermons by other Pastors it shows unity in the body. I shudder to think of Pastors that think only THEIR material that comes from THEIR thinking (even if they believe it's only from the Bible) is the only source they can use for their sermons. As a person with the background of being in a cult, that scares me greatly. So keep on doing what you're doing, it's always been inspiring and encouraging. I'd be a little leery of what Fox 40 wants to do in the way of an interview. Later.
NO! We do not believe that you are being painted as the “bad guy”. You’re the pastor’s reality check. You shared your heart, and this is not a mistake in a society that is just looking for the Truth. And YES, take the interview. Barry, you are refreshing, authentic, Called, and there is no hiding that…we love that about you and Impact’s leadership, and so will America. Sherri and Bob
Go for it! Set the record straight. There's nothing wrong with the way God inspires you through your life experiences, through the lives of Impact members, and/or through other pastor's sermons. You tweak it, change it, and make it your own to present it to your congregation in a passionate way that we get it. We get the message and I know I always walk out on Sunday feeling refreshed, stronger and wiser in God's word. Isn't that what you're suppose to do? I went to many churches trying to find the right fit before I went to Impact. I sat there expecting the same as the other churches I went to. 10 minutes into your sermon I was in tears and I didn't know why. I realized that God spoke to me for the first time through you. Keep doing what you're doing.
Catching up on the blog, did you do the interview??