Ya know what??..I wasn't really sure if it was just my personal problem. That I was just spoiled by having one of the best preachers in America before coming to the SDA church.

My perspective and opinion for over 30 years has been that, for the most part, there is much to be desired in the homiletics and education approaches from the pulpit.

Well...I attended a SDA leadership seminar this past sabbath in which there were Union and GC conference level staff. Listening to them make mention of "doldrums in the church", survey results in which the #1 complaint by the people is that they are not getting fed, NCD (natural church development) program conflicts, a ministerial director telling me of his article aimed at pastors..leads me to belive that I am not some unique warped critical psycho always ranting .."please sir, may I have more?" ..like in Oliver.

I was also thinking of the DRUG war/problem....
You know..the one where we constantly hear that what really keeps the drug trade going was the buying by the users and if the demand wasn't out there then the drug supply would go away?

Is the reason why there remains this dumbing down,incompetent, non fat dry milk, shallow soteriology..pulpit famine is because you dopers out there crave cheapo sermons?

What perpetuates this sermon drug satus quo is cowardly carnal, fleshly, worldly, Laodicean churchians...who file by the pastor..after the weekly sermon, shaking hands and lying .."great sermon..Preach".

Have you given up?
Are you so insecure that you can't confront the pastor?
Are you so in love with the world that you just don't care anymore?

One of the influences/effects of cheapo sermons is cheapo sabbath schools. Usually the level of teaching at sabbath school can be tied to the level at the pulpit.

Well...some have to be in the 2nd resurrection...

I think the problem goes deeper than all that, JB. I think lack of a thorough, vibrant connection to God on a 24/7 daily basis lies at the heart of not having Food to bring to the Table on Sabbath.

I find when I am connected to Spirit (either one!) on a continual basis there is so much revelation, vision, awareness, insight, keys, secrets, mysteries made known, etc. that I never lack for material to share (only perhaps those who would be interested in it and/or respect it).

Likewise when disconnected, I'm a dry well -- you won't get fed, watered or refreshed here ...

Food for thought ...

Thanks for the reply Nico,

Hmm.. does your post mean that the clergy are pots calling the kettle black..that they are guilty of fulfilling Romans 2:1 when they preach on the message of Laodicea?

I don't get what you mean by "either one"

The church might be in better shape if there was a connection for at least 8/7.

Quote:

---

I do not think it is hypocrisy to preach about a problem or need one recognizes in oneself.

---

I think it's difficult to do anything else, at least with any credibility. Why should I listen to someone tell me about how to deal with a temptation they've never suffered? (Hmm, I think we've come back around to homosexuality as defined by hets!)

Mind you, I'm sometimes a little worried about what I'm revealing about myself by the topics I choose to preach on at church!

Nico,

Now I understand you on the either one part.


Also..I was enlarging on implications on the Rom 2:1 issue..Thanks for your elaboration. Good point.

Your 24/7 reminded me of the numerous times when the pulpit speaker would say..."Keep your eyes on Jesus" or it is necessary to spend considerable devotional time with Jesus to be a victorious Christian...etc..etc..of the like.

If the speaker is setting the example with his message of a 1/7...3/7 churchian..then what influence does anyone expect...????

This week's SS lesson deals with the WORLD...

The GC conference ministerial teacher who taught some of this this past sabbath..mentioned at least 2 significant points...oneness(unity) and joy...and that if the church experience doesn't bring joy...the people will attempt to get it from what the world has to offer.

tithing tends to work with time as well. if you spend 2.5 hours daily seeking the connection it suffices to keep it continual and persistent during the other hours.

Tithing. of our TIME !

Great idea, Nico.

Thanks.

Tithing of time! What a great concept!

I appreciate your posts, Nico.