Preaching-More Challenging

Going through homiletically correct motions in a sermon is a waste of time. Continuing some previous blogs regarding Ray Johnston's keynote address at the 2011 Thrive Conference at Bayside Church... young leaders are weighing in with Ray.

Young leaders are clamoring for their preaching and teaching pastors to stop talking just to be heard. Instead, throw down the gauntlet. Eloquent words are not desirable. What's needed is for young leaders to be challenged by the teaching of the local church. When that happens... young people will rise to the occasion.

I'm 45 years old. I'm not a 'young person' anymore... even though, inside, I feel like I'm about 28. I can say that this makes perfect sense to me. I agree. And, to the best of my ability, I try and live this concept out in my own teaching. Maybe to a fault.

I realize most readers, when asked if challenging preaching and teaching is what they desire, would give a resounding, 'YES!' But, could it be when we hear challenging preaching... we actually tend to get upset and really DON'T want to hear it?

Sacramento Bee - Fox 40 News - "Am I Being Painted As The Bad Guy?"

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.