Again, I was trying to clarify what I meant by bold. I didn’t mean loudly or entertainingly. I mean uncompromisingly. This can be done in a dull way by the speaker. My definition, and scriptures from what I can tell from Paul just means uncompromisingly.

Do you not agree?

I think there is an important point in here where we may differ. Your last few comments focus on the style of preaching; i.e. the preaching must be bold. What does boldness look like? Isn’t the Word of God sufficient in power to not depend on our adding energy and boldness to it? I agree that there are certain styles of preaching, from “dull” to F-16ish, that attract particular listeners. I don’t agree that a lack of boldness in speaking style (whatever that means) diminishes the power of the Spirit’s message, or that energy in delivery enhances it. Otherwise we need to train all our pastors to preach like Billy Mays.

How do you account for Paul’s preaching style, which sent at least one of his listeners into a fatal stupor? (Acts 20:9)

You know what I mean I think. If you are not proclaiming the gospel boldly you really aren’t preaching it right. By NOT preaching it boldly I mean that you are leaving stuff out or compromising truth. I assume that is what you are asking me to clarify.

By saying “in the dullest way,” I’m referring to the speaker, not the subject matter. I think we have all been put to sleep by a boring speaker before. What I’m saying is that God’s word can work through even the most boring speaker. Though I wish sometimes that it would be a sin to be boring. I want to see a preacher with passion for what he is preaching.

There are some men that come to mind that don’t use any gimmicks and draw massive crowds. Piper and Keller are two to start with. When you proclaim the truth, people will respond no matter what. Use whatever gimmicks you like around it to help make a point or don’t use anything at all. The truth is what matters is all I am saying. Furtick is saying that he wants to be creative. I have no problem with that at all, but your creativity should be focused on and around the truth. To paraphrase a quote from Driscoll, If you want to have an F-16 fly into your church and shoot a missile across the stage and it points to the gospel, more power to you, but don’t compromise the truth.

1) “If you are preaching God’s word, even in the dullest way, it can transform lives.”

2) “If His word is not being proclaimed boldly and unashamedly, it will be ineffective.”

Did you mean to include “boldly and unashamedly” as restrictive modifiers?

BTW, if you’re preaching God’s Word, how can it possibly be dull? Isn’t the dullness in the hearers in such a setting?

I understand the point furtick is making, but I don’t agree with the way he is saying it or the way he seems to belittle scripture. The videos and the all the jazz in these mega-churches is good for reaching our culture. I see the point of reaching culture where it is at and in the way that it can best recieve it, so I have no problem with wanted to make the service a little more artistic and fun. I think his ideas really do reach people better. Paul even said he became like the people he was around to reach them. Being 31 years old, I am from the generation that is very ADHD and it’s not always easy for our generation to pay attention to the traditional style of preaching. It doesn’t fit well. God didn’t put any stipulations on how to present the sermon so when it comes to that stuff I say, whatever works best for you.

However, God’s promise is that His word will not return void. This means that if you are preaching God’s word, even in the dullest way, it can transform lives. That is powerful!! That means that it doesn’t depend on us and our ability to reach people and save them. It is God’s work through His word.

It certainly helps my generation to have some gadgets in the sermon but if the sermon and music is not rooted in the word of God; if His word is not being proclaimed boldly and unashamedly, it will be ineffective. You will end up having people that like coming to your church for the rock concert or for the snacks and fellowship, not for the gospel or to be transformed. They will not be challenged and they will not grow.

I like this version of MW: Humorous.

HAHA! Thanks for the Heads up! I think I will be able to pick up on it a little easier now.

Rants, screeds, and emotional tirades won’t cut it? Who made you the rule keeper! That sounds legalistic! (my attempt at humor back)

While listening to a dull, dry pastor this morning in church I became bored and distracted, so I began reading in one of the best books in the Bible: Job. (MW warning: that was an attempt at humor, sarcastically aimed at SF’s lament of boring pastors). As is often the case when I read a book I’ve read before I come across a passage I hadn’t noticed before (or forgot about).

In Job 12:11, Job asks (interestingly Elihu later repeats the Hebrew phrase, but changes it to a declarative statement to Job and his 3 friends in Job 34:3): Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?

Reading it was a poignant reminder of the need and requirement for listeners to process what is being said, rather than happily nod in agreement. Think of PP as your food tester. We’re simply trying to keep you from dying from unhealthy food or bad drinks (be they contaminated or prepared incorrectly). Your job in turn is to show PP where we’re wrong. Rants, screeds, and emotional tirades won’t cut it. Argue the facts, the words, the meanings, etc.

Thanks for your comment. I do not intend to offend, but I stand by what I say. I have a problem when a leader assumes people have “bad hearts” or are in some way going against God simply because they are not on board with a certain vision. Many preachers say “God put this on my heart” or “God revealed this to me” and I am suggesting this occurs today way too often. The apostles did not nearly take such liberties at such frequency with personal visions. Instead, you see on several occasions in Acts that “they thought it good”. And their spirit filled lives backed up their authority and people responded accordingly.

You ended by reminding us that we will all be accountable for what we say. The preacher as well as us. Yes, the preacher will be accountable, but don’t think any of us is blamless when we choose to follow bad ideas that sound good from a spiritual leader who says “God put this on my heart”.

Keep your filter operating.

You wrote: “And if a man of God who I believe God has called into ministry shares with me something God has laid on his heart, I won’t question it. I’ll listen, filter and apply it if it has anything to do with me.”

The key word here is “filter.” This blog is doing exactly the same thing you are. The difference is that I bet you “filter” a lot less than you should. A strong element of this blog is to filter what is being said, promoted, and taught by pastors and churches.

BTW: I wonder if Furtick really wants you to filter what you hear, when you hear his vision. After all, it’s from God.