W e ' r e m o r e t h a n j u s t a C h u r c h . . . W e ' r e a F A M I L Y !
Pastor Carter addresses Questions on
PREACHING
Growing up I experienced that "preachers" had a way in which they preached. They had a specific way in which they breathed and spoke when they ministered. I don't know why this was and is but it happens. Is it a mimicking? Does it have anything to do with preaching?
Preaching is the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. That Gospel can be proclaimed in many ways. Some of us are accustomed to certain traditional ways of preaching, however, and that's ok. But we can't discount or discredit the proclamation of the Word through other forms as well.
Concerning the style of such traditional preaching... Is it mimicking? Probably. I believe it may have developed in the early years of the Reformation period when men of God like the Wesleys and others desired to preach to and teach the people. Because they were not permitted to do so within the walls of the Church of England, they met in open fields and other large open forums... In order to be heard, they stood on anything that would allow them to project their voices over the heads of the thousands assembled to hear them... And somehow, without the aid of microphones and PA systems, the crowds were able to hear them. I don't think the crowds of multiple thousands gathered in open fields would be able to hear some calm, cool, collected preacher talking in a normal tone of voice... they probably had to shout it out and raise their voices. This may have been passed on down through the years until we have a form of traditional preaching we have all grown accustomed to. In fact... imagine Jesus teaching thousands at a time. Would have been hard to do standing in one place and speaking with a friendly smile and tone of voice.
Is anything wrong with this "fiery" style?" Not at all! I thinks it's the best form... people sometimes think it foolish, but that's ok. The Scripture says that by the "foolishness of preaching" God has chosen to share His message of redemption. ...And as years continued, certain preachers in certain circles grew accustomed to certain styles and it carried on through to some interesting forms of preaching. I've known preachers all my life that, if you didn't know them, you'd think they were Italian....
"In the beginning-ha, the Lord created-ha, the heavens and the earth-ha, and the earth-ha was without-ha form and void-ha..."
Is it enjoyable? Yes. Is it entertaining. Yup. Sure is. Is it necessary for preaching? Doubt it; but it never hurts.
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Does one have to wear a suit, stomp, snort, etc. to be considered a preacher? If they don't are they not considered "anointed"?
Anointing is not dependent on style. Style helps in the outward, natural sense of appeal to people and helps to draw them in at times... but the anointing - the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit given to accomplish a certain task which destroys yokes and removes burdens - is not dependent on one's form, style, or method of ministry. Talent is no qualification or equation to anointing.
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I fear that in our tradition of having to have a sermon, or an insistence on some form of preaching during church, God's people have missed out on years of edification and growth and have heard the same old message over and over which does nothing but condemn, judge, and point the finger.
Preaching has its place. But there comes a time, whether through an established preaching style or not, that you must stop lecturing and begin ministering. There is a difference. Lecturing is good for instruction sake. But spiritual ministry, often through use of the Gifts of the Spirit, has a unique and required place of importance. Will that include preaching? Maybe, at times. But sometimes it will require leaving the platform and the microphone behind to gently whisper in someone's ear. In those times you see the the power of God begin to move, and then you can stand back and watch the chains fall off around their feet.
Contact FHC with your questions and Pastor Carter will answer them here.
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Copyright © Pastor Chad Carter • Family Harvest Church Global Ministries
FAMILY HARVEST CHURCH
PASTOR CHAD CARTER
P.O. Box 512
Salem, IN 47167
812-883-2523
www.ChadCarter.org
info@ChadCarter.org
