If you’re like me you often find yourself pondering things that church leaders are fearful to let people know they even think about. For me, on Thursdays I’m going to make my dangerous ponderings known. For those who have been courageous enough to climb out of the denominational box, the local church box, the box of legalism, and the cultural Christian box, these musings will create a healthy conversation. For those who find their identity in or make part of their income based on the topics and ideas that I’m pondering, these contemplations may create some tension.
Please know that I am not attacking any ministry, ideology, or person. I’m simply scripting questions that I myself am wrestling with.
Today’s question… “Is “Deep Preaching” Keeping Non-Seminarians from Teaching the Bible?”
I once had a very revealing and somewhat perplexing conversation with a seminary professor. While his area of expertise was Christian Education his primary passion was the preaching event. As you might imagine, I was ecstatic to pick the brain of someone so well versed in theology who also housed a heart passionate to help non-seminary trained types teach the Word to small groups of people gathered in a classroom or a home.
If I remember the conversation correctly, my question to him was, “What do you think is hindering those with the gift of teaching who lead Sunday School classes or small groups the most?” I had imagined he would quickly state that it was lack of biblical knowledge or having no grasp of systematic theology. But to my surprise he said that it was the style of preaching many pastors use today. Now I was on the edge of my seat. What did he mean by this seemingly absurd statement?
He went on to tell me that, in his opinion, many pastors today preach in such a way that they lead their congregants to believe that only those with seminary style theological training are capable teachers. He told me that those preachers who consistently tell the congregation what “the original language” says or that use theological terminology that is out of the common man’s vocabulary might as well tell their congregations that they are not educated or knowledgeable enough to teach others the Bible. He believes that the average Joe, even the person with the spiritual gift of teaching, will intuitively begin to believe that they are incapable of teaching others because they will never be able to attain the knowledge necessary to be “effective teachers.” And so, they choose not to teach.
I wonder… Is deep preaching keeping non-seminarians from teaching the Bible?
I don’t know the answer to this question. I’m just thinking out-loud.