(2) Master of the Pulpits
Among many Protestant churches, more time is allotted to the sermon than any other element of the “worship service”. The importance given to it in word and deed sounds like the sermon is the most important source of spiritual teaching. While preaching the Word is unquestionably the work of God’s people, there is nothing in the Word that requires a formal speech (sermon). Something is terribly wrong when men of experience and learning are squelched because they are boring speakers. Yet, “church services” are edifying when the service leaders give exceptional performances. For this reason, professional speakers/preachers are hired to deliver such public addresses as a part of public worship services. Among some of these denominational hirelings, they are called pastors. Regardless of his or her title, they are performers, whose task is to hold the attention of their audience. Such an arrangement naturally excludes many leaders who lack the gift of rhetoric and speech. The local church arrangement produces a great disconnect between spiritual leaders and the members. The hireling usurps the teaching and gains the confidence of the sheep as being an authority of biblical teaching. The sheep, in turn, seek his favor and guidance.
The system is flawed because the preachers/pastors are placed before the congregation as spiritual teachers/leaders because of their convincing speech. Add to this ability the fact of their education and experience, they may high credentials and are in high demand for speaking engagements. Naturally, they are presented as the professional and, therefore, initiate much of the work of teaching and are seen before the congregation more often than any other. After all, it is their job description.
For some denominations, this leaves many congregations without proper leadership because the local leaders, who should be taking the oversight, remain powerless. On the one hand, they are powerless because they are either in a leadership position for which they are biblically unqualified as teachers or are only unqualified as speaker. On the other hand, the preacher and spiritual teacher, has gained the spiritual influence of the local membership and has become the “go-to” man for Bible answers. This is especially a problem for young preachers who are placed in a position for which they are unqualified, placing undo pressure on them to prove themselves. For, many will despise their youth and disregard their teaching or take it lightly.