Journey With Us ~ S^3

Ah, a podcast to help any pastor/preacher handle God’s Word correctly, not adding to nor taking away from it would be, and is, a welcome endeavor to those who yearn to see His gospel message reach the masses. The rules of engagement for this podcast are exemplary. Listen to the podcast carefully to hear the ground rules. What I want to briefly highlight are…. The source for the sermon is taken from a public venue, where the pastor/preacher desires those who would, to hear and learn from his handling of God’s Word. The pastor/preacher is encouraged to come along side the ‘sermon survey’ and be part of getting his message out. That was the original intent of the pastor/preacher, to get God’s message out to the masses or it would not be in a public domain. And to base the survey on not one or two sermons but 4 or more is working to get a clearer understanding of the pastor/preacher’s intent. To commend the pastor/preacher’s correct handling of God’s Word or give him the venue to clarify his biblical point(s) is exactly what should happen, especially if accolades/criticisms are worked through in a open non biased, non denominational manner with the only hurdle to clear is the correct handling of the Bible, after all, that is the only authority a pastor/preacher has. I have many more points I could make but just listening to the ‘ground rules’ of the Sermon Survey will suffice. It is refreshing to hear the accolades or criticisms of the sermons that are available to any in St Joseph and beyond. This public area is where this should be handled. Which pastor/preacher that’s intent on correctly handling God’s Word would dismiss or reject accolades or encouragement in making their point. Lastly, I understand from the podcast(s) that in the case of both surveys, the pastor/preacher declined the opportunity to share with the public their biblical positions on either the accolades or criticism. Why? To go into the ‘public marketplace’ if you will, and work to encourage the pastor/preacher in the never ending work of sharing the gospel and training the man/woman in the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 Tim 3:16…….priceless.

After “13 years” in St Joseph and in ministry in one church this is the best you could do?! Jesus’s most prominent and greatest critics were the Pharisees. I would put this podcast and all of the “survey the sermon” casts to follow in that category, ie, “whited sepulchers” with nothing better to do for St Joe than to critique sermons of pastors called to ministry in their respective churches. This town is literally dying around us on the outside and the inside and to critique those who are trying to build up the inside, the soul of this town, then shame on you. Get off your high horses and do something meaningful for the people of St Joe.

Defense of parties involved and more preparation, less assumptions.