Jude 2

Several years back I was looking for a home church and dropped in to a church I had tried out once or twice only to find it had a new pastor.

I talked briefly with the guy and he was very personable. I noticed a few people I knew from childhood in the congregation.

When the preaching came it was Aparrant the Guy COULD NOT preach.

He rambled, stumbled, hemmed, hawed, said anything that came into his mind even something I had conversed about prior to the service.


Needless to say, I did not go back. Later I saw my childhood acquaintences show up where I had finally decided to stay. When I asked them "Why did you leave XXXXXX" the response was "That guy couldnt preach!"


So My question:

Other than leaving, What recourse does a church goer have if his pastor can't preach or his preaching leaves quite a bit to be desired?

Endure. Talk to them, encourage them to improve and do everything with excellence. Encourage them to find a mentor (preferably one that CAN preach).

Volunteer for the nursery.

Of course, pray for the "preacher" to become one.

I agree with talking to them but it needs to be either a respectable deacon or board that hired him and the meeting needs to be seasoned with love and concern for the church.

Gerald, things like this concern me because I tend to think of it from a bible belt CoGoP stance. (If he isn't shouting or speaking in tongues he isn't "preaching") Why do some people think that a minister is annointed only when he/she is shouting?

JustJay wrote:Gerald, things like this concern me because I tend to think of it from a bible belt CoGoP stance. (If he isn't shouting or speaking in tongues he isn't "preaching") Why do some people think that a minister is annointed only when he/she is shouting?

Now don't go scooping Question #3 from me!!!

EVERYONE knows the Pentecostal Schtick (ripping out a growl of a shout, stirring up the people with an exciting style etc etc) is UNQUESTIONABLE, even to the point that any thought presented in that style is more true than Bible.

I've seen preachers improve over time. Chances are he could get better.
If he doesn't, most preachers have a church board they're accountable to. Maybe they could make some suggestions.

Mike Vande wrote:I've seen preachers improve over time. Chances are he could get better.

There is a vast difference between what and how I presented over the last 20 years (when I preached my first sermon). I believed I hae aged like a fine non-fermented grape juice.

MrDanger wrote:

Mike Vande wrote:I've seen preachers improve over time. Chances are he could get better.

There is a vast difference between what and how I presented over the last 20 years (when I preached my first sermon). I believed I hae aged like a fine non-fermented grape juice.

Brother, ain't THAT the truth! I have read some of my notes and heard recordings from my messages from when I first started pastoring, and I thank God for the grace and patience of these folks who bore with me in my folly and sat, patiently and lovingly through that mess It was awful.

Not that I am Louis Giglio or some great speaker now… I am not as good as I'd like to be, but I am sure light years better than I was.

I have an inner circle of close advisors who were honest with me, and didn't just say "that was okay" when I blew it --- they'd say "yeah, not one of your best..."

Gerald Creasy wrote:
EVERYONE knows the Pentecostal Schtick (ripping out a growl of a shout, stirring up the people with an exciting style etc etc) is UNQUESTIONABLE, even to the point that any thought presented in that style is more true than Bible.

The Baptist "growl and shout" a whole lot more than Pentecostals do now days. Just check out The Word channel...

Mike Vande wrote:I've seen preachers improve over time. Chances are he could get better.
If he doesn't, most preachers have a church board they're accountable to. Maybe they could make some suggestions.

Not in the COGOP. It is the S.O. and that is all! No input from the local congregation, unless he chooses to allow it.

RuSKY