Sermons on the web are no substitute for the hard work that goes
into imaginative, sound biblical preaching, but when used properly they
can be an aid to the preacher's development and spiritual growth.
by Lugene Schemper
Within the past year I've read newspaper accounts of two Protestant pastors
who were suspended from their pulpits for preaching sermons downloaded
from
the Internet. The website www.desperatepreacher.com names the problem.
Faced with the difficult, time-consuming weekly task of moving God's people
with a fresh word from the Lord, some preachers succumb to the temptation
to use second-hand sermons.
Borrowing the sermons of others is nothing new. Back in 1735 when
Philadelphia Presbyterian pastor Rev. Samuel Hemphill was accused of pulpit
plagiarism, Ben Franklin came to his defense: "I rather approved
his giving
us good sermons composed by others, than bad ones of his own manufacture."
What is new is the fingertip accessibility of hundreds of printed, audio,
and even video sermons via the Internet.
I'm sure we agree that preaching a sermon composed by another preacher
without giving credit is plagiarism, a form of theft. Aside from that,
a
pastor desperately borrowing a canned sermon often finds that he is serving
up the homiletical equivalent of canned spaghetti: the ingredients may
all
be there, but the product is bland, lacking the crisp, direct flavors
and
textures of real home-cooking. A good sermon arises from a pastor who
lives
with a Scripture text throughout the week, studies it, meditates on it,
and
works hard to find the right words, illustrations, and analogies which
communicate and resonate with the members of a particular congregation.
If that's the case, do sermons on the web have any value for the preacher?
I'd like to suggest three possible uses:
1) FOR PREACHING DEVELOPMENT:
Painters, carpenters, plumbers and potters all learn by looking at the
work
of others, and so do preachers. When we hear or read a sermon, we think
about how it was constructed, how the text has been exegeted, and how
the
preacher moves from Scripture to the present. If we're at all observant,
we
learn something for our own preaching. All preachers should listen to
or
read sermons of others periodically for their own self-development. This
is
especially true for those who preach twice on Sunday and seldom get the
opportunity to listen to a variety of good preachers.
If, for example, preachers find themselves regularly having trouble
bringing sermons to a crisp, clear, compelling conclusion, they might
look
at how other pastors conclude their sermons. The same can be said for
help
with sermon introductions, or with the proper use of sermon illustrations
or stories within sermons. One possibility is to follow the sermons of
one
good preacher for several months, analyzing them for style and content.
2) FOR ACTUAL PREACHING:
I say this with caution, and note that it should not be a regular
occurrence. But sometimes when the press of pastoral emergencies has been
overwhelming, and with the permission of the church elders, it might be
appropriate to preach a sermon written by an outstanding preacher. Doing
so
requires a careful study of the sermon, and adaptations and modifications
which make the sermon fit ones own preaching style and audience. It also
requires a thorough familiarity with the sermon. Credit should be given
to
the sermon's author, with a statement such as "This morning's sermon
is an
adaptation of Rev. Smith's sermon, "(sermon title)." I freely
acknowledge
my debt to Rev. Smith."
3) FOR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT:
As a pastor who preached twice on Sunday for many years, I benefited
greatly by reading the sermons of great preachers. I have been moved,
challenged, and comforted through hearing the gospel proclaimed by others.
This is an important part of the spiritual hygiene of pastors. Sermons
on
the web are one resource that makes it possible for pastors to be on the
receiving end of good sermons.
Websites containing sermons fall into two major categories: 1) websites
containing large collections of sermons, drawn from a variety of different
sources; and 2) websites which organize the sermons of a particular pastor
or church congregation. There are many sermons of questionable quality
on
the web, and one should use them with great discretion. As a guide to
good
sermons on the web, we've prepared a website at the Ministry Resource
Center of the Hekman Library of Calvin College (www.calvin.edu/library/mrc)
Sermons on the web are no substitute for the hard work that goes into
imaginative, sound biblical preaching, but when used properly they can
be
an aid to the preacher's development and spiritual growth.
Lugene Schemper, Theological Librarian, Calvin Theological Seminary
Forum, Winter 2003, 3233 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 449546, USA
With
Permission.
