Preacher's Homiletical Service
From a certain city in Texas comes the announcement that there has been started a service, which will take much of the work out of the preparing of outlines for the busy preacher. Over the signature of a sister there, an advertisement was sent out to this effect. It has been learned through correspondence that the outlines and advertisement were her husband's work, but he let her sign the letter, and when she was written about the matter, he became quite upset about it. No one but himself is to blame for that. Now the question is, do we have any need for such service as this, and is it performing a function that cannot be taken from the preacher who delivers the sermon? It seems to me that there is an encroachment on the work of the faithful Gospel preacher in this matter. They stated in the advertisement that preachers were too busy visiting and so on, that they didn't have time to study, so they would take care of getting an outline to them in this emergency, for the sum of twenty five cents each, or eight a month for $2.00.
Nice, but is it necessary? If it is necessary, then the condition making it so needs to be removed. Since when has it become necessary for a Gospel preacher, to be so busy tending to the work of elders and members in visiting and so on, that he doesn't have time to study? Isn't something wrong when this is so? Paul, by a commandment of the Lord, makes it necessary that a preacher study, and work to make manifest to all. Such progress, of course being his growth in the scriptures, and not in personal popularity. (Read 1 Timothy 4:13-15.) If a preacher succumbs to the temptation of getting out of work, as proposed by this new service, then his initiative is gone, and he will soon be controlled in thought by our sister in Texas. This I cannot bring myself to agree with. For we have too many preachers who are controlled in thought already by some of our big pressure organizations and churches.
In fact the sample outline sent out, has in it a teaching which faithful brethren everywhere are opposing, on the matter of institutionalism. He uses an example in his sermon on "Who Cares For My Soul" under point 5: "All genuine Christians care for your soul"; one of the churches at Abilene and the Herald of Truth radio program. He then says, "Men who work long hours without pay (e.g. the men of the Highland church at Abilene on the Herald of Truth) that the Gospel may be preached." Now in the first place the free part of the Herald of Truth is not known to most people (their reports show nearly $3,000.00 per month for SALARIES), for all they see from it is a continuous begging for money to carry it on. Secondly, there is the simple matter of proving the "Herald of Truth" to be scriptural, and carried on within the bounds of scriptural limitations. In fact I do not think those who are engaging in it would care to defend it on the debate platform, with those of us who do not believe in it, and this may be taken as being an invitation to do that very thing. There are many who would like to discuss this business of institutionalism cropping up in the church. If we can justify the "Herald of Truth," then we can, on the same ground, justify the missionary society of the First Christian Church.
I object then, to the proposed sermon outline plan on the ground that it can be used as a method to teach things which the church doesn't need. He is putting these outlines out to be preached, to save work, time, and energy, on the part of those using them, and he even tells them how to fasten them in their Bibles to use them. I insist that to the unlearned and young, they are dangerous business, and could lead to the destruction of souls.
In a letter from the brother, he compares them to books of outline sermons, but I disagree with him. He is not selling reference, or study material; he is selling preparation, convenience, and service, to eliminate the usual work in getting up sermons. For his advertisement states that such is the intention of his new plan. There is a great difference between the two. First the matter of price. If his material is on the same basis as outline books, then his price is exorbitant, for it doesn't cost much to buy outline books; but this service will cost $24.00 per year for his outlines. What is he selling, material, or service? The answer is obvious. So his plan is not on the same basis as outline books. Do we preachers have the right to shirk our duty in this matter of preparing our own sermons? If we do then the congregation has the right to have weekly prayers mimeographed, and mailed to the needy members each week, for a small fee of course. When a man can prove this program acceptable to the teaching of scripture, then he will have proved too much by it. I for one cannot agree with our brother in his program, and think that others should be warned about it.
Has the time come brethren, when we are nothing but another denomination? Can we give the scriptural proof for all of the countless programs pushed upon the church lately? Are we drifting away from God? We need to do some thinking about this matter, and change our ways. Let us take our stand with the word of God, and refuse to go the way of men, for God is dependable.
May I lift my voice in protest to the countless innovations in the church, that we have seen in the past few years, and against all proposals which will compromise the truth one whit. Why don't we think before we act? It would save the church many hours of grief and woe. Let's let the church, be the church.