Comments on: Better Than Any Fad

by: Richard

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 02:00:37 +0000

Amen!! Brother, thank you for this post I needed to hear it and be reminded. I agree whole heartily. I am currently in seminary and we spend so much time working on techniques of how to preach. When the truth is what we need to do is just preach the word faithfully, accurately, plainly, and clearly.

by: Paul

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:27:29 +0000

John said:
“It would seem to me, that to be consistent with Phil’s claims, only the scripture should be read in church on Sundays without commentary.”

I thought Phil’s point was that no man’s commentary (no matter how spectacular) has the power to change the desires of the heart.

Perhaps we’re talking past one another…

by: John Brown

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:21:06 +0000

Paul,

I did not say I got “saved” reading PDL. I said it “changed my life”. And I alluded to the very point that the scriptures, as presented methodically and concisely in the book were the very thing that did the “changing”.

It would seem to me, that to be consistent with Phil’s claims, only the scripture should be read in church on Sundays without commentary. But the Bible says that through the “foolishness of preaching men are saved”. Now again, I was not “saved reading PDL but I was changed. And a well written book should be no different than a well presented sermon….full of verses and application.I doubt any food preacher or pastor avoids explanations of Bible passages in commentaries written by others.

by: David M.

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:11:52 +0000

Indeed for years I had seen tracts and they unsettled me, but… finally I was given a New Testament and by Matthew 3, I KNEW I was holding the Word of God. I think we must be cautious, though, in relying on feelings lest we fall into the Mormon, “burning in the bosom” trap. The Word has the power but there are still many who are led in the direction by the evidence, which is plentiful (e.g. Lee Stroebel, Josh mcDowell). What I’m saying is that apologetics are OK also and that if someone doesn’t respond to the Word, let’s not write them off as “self-condemned”. I know no one in scripture was convinced by apoloegtics (except OT expoistion) but you can’t deny, it does work with some people.

by: Charles E. Whisnant

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 20:58:03 +0000

How do you define good preaching?
“We assemble to read our sacred writings..With the sacred words we nourish our faith, we animate our hope,, we make our confidence more steadfast, and no less by inculcations of God’s precepts we confirm good habits. In the same place also exhortations are made, rebukes and sacred censures are administered…” so said Tertullian.

Preaching today has a diffferent meaning to just about every preacher. And the way the preaching is presented is as different from pulpit to pulpit, even if there is an pulpit today.

Today there is no greater hardship at present inflicted on mankind than the necessity of listening to sermons. No one but a preaching preacher has the power compelling an congregation to sit silent, and be tormented.

I often hear “preach in the power of God” just what does that mean? “The Word of God is living.” That’s the correct sense. It speaks of vitality, life, activity, energy. The Word of God has a life-force that is unlike any merely human book” I agree, but it comes through the lips of a man who has been called to dispense the Word of God.

I agree Keith : “All men, all pastors need to grow. However, there is no substitute for preaching the word of God.” And agree that leadership skills and character could be different.

“Preaching the Word of God is more effective than any new methodology contemporary church.” Preaching the Word effective and methodology of preaching the Word are different too. Methodology of ministry is different also. By point! You need both preaching of the Word and good leadership from a number of leaders, deacons, and elders, and members.

With both good preaching/teaching and good leadership you might not need the fads of today.

Charles

by: Paul

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:51:35 +0000

John,

Did the PDL book save you, or God’s word within the PDL book? Did Rick Warren help you realize your potential, or did God’s word wake you from your sleep? If it is the latter, is it not safe to say that Phil has made a point? God’s word saves and changes us, not the fads, presentation, technique and/or program of it.

by: Keith Crosby

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:42:56 +0000

Charles W.,

Which is worse to preach the word and to have to rely on others more gifted than yourself to lead, or the have great leadership skills and preach something other than the Word? Hebrews 4:12 would seem to indicate “the power is in the word.”

There are natural leaders who lack character. There are preachers who lack character. I suggest to you that leadership skills and godly character do overlap but are not necessarily one and the same. This is why the biblical model of church leadership is a plurality of godly men. This keeps the pastor from becoming anything resembling a CEO and enables him, along with the other elders to shepherd the flock of God, as Peter says.

All men, all pastors need to grow. However, there is no substitute for preaching the word of God. We all have regrets in the way we handle things in life (including the way we handle challenges and opportunities in the church).

I’m sure you are not suggesting that leadership skills trump the preaching of God’s word. A biblically qualified teaching elder, vocational elder, or pastor will have some leadership skills; however, some are more gifted in the arena of leadership, so to speak, than others.

by: Johnny T. Helms

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:28:29 +0000

For much of the so-called church in the US it is not only “fad driven,” it is a fad. Willow Creek, Osteen’s thing, and Warren’s concept of church are fads and nothing more. The “church growth movement” fits the definition of a fad; “a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal.” Mega-church cloning is a fad and a dangerous deception. Filling the local churches with the unregenerate has produced an unregenerate church.

by: Chris

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:26:58 +0000

Part of me wants to say thanks for writing this article, while the other part feels sad it even needs to be written. Unfortunately, some pastors prefer fads. Wishing it wasn’t true doesn’t make it so. Anyway, thanks for pointing out what should be obvious. Praise God for those still standing on His word!

by: John Brown

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:25:38 +0000

How can you NOT agree with the power of Scripture? It of course DOES have the power to change lives…..as do books that quote much Scripture. You mentioned “Purpose Driven Life” and Rick Warren’s “guarantee” that it will “change your life”. I can only speak from experience but based on the 1500 + verses used in that book I changed careers, took a 50% pay cut, and went into full-time ministry.

Admittedly, “full-time ministry” is a poor choice of words as EVERY Christian is or should be a “full-time minister” but I believe God had a plan for my life that I was not following and not using my gifts and abilities He had given me for His purposes. PDL just encapsulated the verses and concepts in a simple format that helped open my eyes. You know, kind of what a pastor does each weekend for his congregation. In short, PDL helped change my life.