Does your pastor feed the flock?
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 36:1-8. Text: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Let us make the next step as we continue to analyze our church life. Last week, we saw what the congregation might expect of a pastor – he/she should be a preacher, counselor, professional, manager, trouble-shooter, as well as being popular and successful – and this time may we see what kind of sermons people wish to hear? Every pastor hopes to present sermons that are liked and appreciated, also these messages should help the people and will build up the congregation. As in music, individuals have their preferences – jazz, rock & roll, country, popular, classic; likewise, there are different ways to present God’s message. It is up to you, who listen to your pastor’s sermons, which one would you endorse?
THIS IS AN ARTIFICIAL CLASSIFICATION, SOME SERMONS MAY NOT FIT INTO IT OR SOME MAY OVERLAP.
EVANGELISTIC preaching. Here the emphasis is on love, forgiveness, repentance and salvation. The blood of Christ that was shed on the cross is in the center. Affection, feeling, emotion are in the front. Billy Graham is a good example for this type. Appropriate Bible quotation: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jon 3:16. See also Matthew 3:2, John 3:3 and 13:34.
As a reaction comes the INTELLECTUAL type. Those who studied philosophy, psychology, genetics, biology, astrophysics, anthropology and medicine are not satisfied with the answer: “just have faith and pray.” They wish to understand also, as far as it is possible, the teaching of the Bible. “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;'” Hosea 4:6. Think of the late Prof. Dr. Karl Barth.
The MORALISTS assume that it is sufficient to distinguish between good and bad, choose the right one, and then there will be no need for theory. Think of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shall not . . .” “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matt. 7:12.
The simplest solution is just DO GOOD and everything will fall into place. The Salvation Army is a good example. How did Jesus close the story of the Good Samaritan? “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37. These are the practical Christians.
For the CHARISMATICS the power of the Spirit, the spiritual healing, submission to the will of God are the number one requirement. The institutionalized churches are rigid and calcified. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,” Psalm 23:2 and “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;” Acts of Apostles 1:8. Read also John 3:1-8.
Today there are very few who like to hear the WRATH OF GOD and how to escape from the fire and brimstone. “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:10. When a critical and judgmental sermon is heard it can elicit a purifying feeling.
Many welcome the HYBRID sermon. When theology and psychology are combined, it not only lifts us up, but also enlightens us. The late Norman Vincent Peale was close to this type and he was very popular. He incorporated counseling and practical solutions into his ministry. In this case, the spiritual power and human wisdom mutually complement each other.
Even if the members in the pews expect something special, the clergy should have the same feeling as Apostle did: “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ” 1 Corinthians 9:16. Read also Acts of Apostles 4:18-20 and 2 Timothy 4:2-4.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.