December 3, 2011

Dear Scattered Brethren in Christ,

It’s been 11 years since I was called and converted, which is far fewer years than most people in the Church of God. Since I’m of a more recent generation in the church, it has given me a unique perspective of how the church has conducted the work of fulfilling the commission of Jesus Christ over the years. Specifically, how ministers are trained and how they preach.

I’ve listened to many sermons by ministers in various splinter groups and I’ve compared how ministers preach today—their manner and style of preaching as well their sermon content—versus what I read in the Bible. And I see disturbing inconsistencies. I don’t believe ministers today are preaching and teaching as they should. I don’t believe they are following the example of the apostles.

Firstly, it’s customary in the church for ministers to pre-write their sermons and read them like speeches. We have no biblical precedent for this method of preaching. Rather, ministers should preach by the inspiration of God. This means they should simply write out a few scriptures, perhaps a couple brief notes, then stand up and speak from the heart. Let God guide the words.

Secondly, it’s customary in the church for ministers to quote books and commentaries in their sermons. Again, we have no biblical precedent for this. Why should we care what worldly writers, scholars and theologians think the bible says? The only thing that matters is what the bible itself says. The same goes for Greek and Hebrew lexicons. It doesn’t really matter what Strong’s number is associated with this or that word. The bible interprets itself. Rarely, if ever, is it necessary to consult the Greek and Hebrew texts.

Lastly, ministers in the church often recite biblical principles in their sermons, but they fail to explain the practical application of these principles. It’s common to hear ministers say, “we need to let Christ live in us,” or “we must strive to overcome sin,” or “we must exude the fruits of the Spirit.” These are all true statements, but the ministers don’t elaborate. They don’t give examples. They just repeat broad statements like broken records.

It’s obvious to me that the ministry as a whole has been improperly trained. Too many of this world’s methods of studying, writing and preaching have permeated the work of God. And it must stop. This world greatly esteems highly literate grammar, copious references and sedate, lecture-style presentations. Which has resulted in a spirit of intellectualism in the ministry—something Mr. Armstrong condemned. It has also resulted in uninspired sermons that lack insight and relevance, leaving the membership spiritually starved and in deep slumber.

If it’s one scripture that is ringing in my ears, it’s that we should get back to the “faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3) To me this means getting back to the examples of Christ and the apostles, and throwing the world’s ways into the trash bin.

The apostles preached by inspiration (Acts 4:29-31; Acts 8:26-40; Eph 6:18-20; Col 4:2-4), not from carefully worded, pre-written notes. They only quoted the bible, never any other books. And they put God’s principles in practical terms that church members in the first century could understand.

Ministers today don’t resemble those of the early church. The early apostles were bold, courageous, dynamic, and corrective. Ministers today are soft-spoken, comedic, and almost never corrective. They speak “smooth” words (Isa 30:10).

You might be thinking that since I’m relatively new to the work of God, I should just keep my mouth shut. But I know that seniority matters little to God. What matters is uncompromising obedience. Lets follow the admonition of Jude, and the examples of the apostles. Not the world.

With love and respect, in Jesus Christ’s name,
Jason Busa

(P.S. - This subject is extremely important and we will be writing a lengthy article about it in the coming weeks. Check our website again soon.)

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