Preaching is something of which I have an acquaintance. This is a strange activity where a group of people assemble to listen to one person – hopefully speaking uninterrupted. I call it strange because in most of our life’s activities it can be difficult to get people to listen. Often when it appears we are listening we are really waiting for the person speaking to take a breath so we can jump in with our opinion or story. People go to counselors and pay a hundred dollars an hour so someone will listen to them. (Real counselors don’t tell people what do to. They listen and help people sort out their issues.) Yet once a week or so people gather to listen to one person for thirty minutes or so. Instead of paying someone to listen to them, the congregation pays to listen when the offering plate comes by.
In a college setting I meet many young people who aspire to the ministry and I wonder why. If I ask they will tell me God has called them. I believe He does call some. However, often I think some are not even aware of their personal need to be important and to have other people listen to their thoughts. Preaching feeds one’s ego and threatens one’s soul. Personal glorification slowly replaces one’s desire to glorify God. Preaching can be extremely dangerous as one believes the nice things people say to you. We forget that the unnice things are saved for when we are absent.
In 1 Corinthians 1:21 Paul speaks of the foolishness of preaching that people might be saved. Often I think the person who most needs saving is the preacher and not the congregation.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 9, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org