My brother-in-law suffers from PTSD after tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Crowds are not something he handles well. Unfortunately that is an excuse for him and my sister to say “Joyce Meyer is my pastor”. While I like Joyce’s teaching and her ministry is what led my sister back to the word and to the Lord, My sister has never even seen her teach in person. I’m sure, given the size of her church, many of the people who are in Joyce’s congregation name one of the ministry pastors as their pastor just as many young people would name their youth pastor. They just don’t know the Senior pastor that well.

I’m the worship leader at a small SBC church just 2 blocks from my sisters house and I invite her regularly. A church built to hold around 200 and currently getting around 40 loving and supportive Christians in Sunday School, seems to me the perfect environment to get used to being around people. The crowds not to big, they’re understanding and supportive, there’s plenty of room to find breathing space when your uncomfortable, and still my sibling and her husband prefer the TV.

I must admit that politics tends to play some part. It’s easier to dismiss the politically incorrect message of a pastor if you never hear it. Such messages are hard to avoid in the pew. My church is staunchly Christian Conservative preferring to make the bible a guide for proper living rather than the whims of legislature and courts. Many in my family have parted with strong churches because they couldn’t justify their political views in church. Most sought out and found churches that water down the message, either because of wimpy pastors or a national organization that bends to votes instead of prayer. Some prefer the TV and others quit going altogether. The only honest ones are the Catholics who attend church then tell everyone they disagree with the church on certain points but they still love Jesus.

There are a few “televangelists” who refuse to shy away from the word as written and in total, I recommend their books and sermons when people need in depth study of some subjects. Many others, including some mentioned in your blog, are to politically correct even to stand up for the gospels message of the only way to heaven, and those who heard about a certain Larry King interview know who I am talking about. People have asked me if those preachers are wrong about everything. I tell them the truth, I used to watch them regularly and found most of their doctrine sound but, I won’t waste my time on any teacher who can’t stand up for his beliefs. Anything a person learns from them should be examined carefully, compared to scripture and questions asked of a solid, bible believing, pastor who doesn’t shy away from the truth under pressure.

In closing I must say, that the same tests I advocate for “paper pastors” should be applied to the one in your local church as well. I have known good people, I respected, with great backgrounds who preached garbage from the pulpit. I love them but, they were dead wrong and I’m glad they are out of the ministry now. If a person takes a verse out of context to prove a point the verse didn’t make, they are wrong. Even if the point they made was valid their tactic comes from “the father of lies”. When they won’t stand up for their beliefs under pressure, they can’t be trusted. When they mold their teaching to fit their politics instead of the other way around, they are committing evil.

Remember to never forsake the fellowship of the saints even if you have to find them and bring them to your house for bible study because there are no good churches available. That was the way of the first century church and it will be the way of the last century church, according to the bible. My God Bless and keep you,

Carl

I completely agree with you. My greater concern is not with the person who utilizes these resources and desires to grow through their teachings, and yet remains humble.

That is what I personally strive for!

My concern is with the idolatry that seems to take place, and the unteachable spirit that many people seem to have once they get hooked on a certain pastor’s sermons/resources.

Thanks for the comment!