I usually do not comment on things going on in the SBC. It is usually not worth commenting on and besides, I do not have time to do so. However, we are at a time when the integrity of the pulpit has not been upheld. Over the past few days, Newsweek and the Washington Post have published articles regarding accusations of plagiarism by the new SBC president, Ed Litton.
There are about four videos of four separate sermons that show how similar, and in some cases, how identical, Litton’s sermons were to Grear’s. A couple of them can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoymLXGMCLWRuEtvQlsSszg
Now, I will say that it is not uncommon for pastors to make notes when listening to other preachers and use parts of the sermon or the outline in a future sermon. What is uncommon, is the blatant copying of personal illustrations, prayers, and points as displayed in the videos referenced above. This should be unheard of.
It is nothing less than a shame for the president of the SBC to have used another preacher’s sermons. Especially, since his pastor’s statement (https://goredemption.com/pastors-statement/) says that their church has a sermon preparation team of eight. Eight people doing sermon prep and they have to borrow whole sermons?
I did not vote for Ed Litton to be president of the SBC. However, I left the convention with a commitment to pray for him and support him. I will continue to pray for him, but I cannot continue to support him.
As I understand scripture, there is one responsibility that I cannot share. It is one that is mine alone as the Senior Pastor of Adamsville First Baptist Church. I must spend time in prayer and study of the Word so that I have a message from the Lord. A message that has deeply impacted me through preparation, not one that I regurgitate from another preacher.
I know that I am not the best preacher. I also know that not everyone likes my delivery or style. I know that I cannot please everyone. Regardless of how you feel about me or my sermon delivery, I promise you this – I will not preach what God has not given me. My sermons will be from the text, driven by the text, and will be true to the text. I will approach each sermon with the knowledge that I only have ONE to please and HE will hold me accountable. That is a terrifying thought!
Whether or not I am your pastor, do this one thing – pray for your pastor. Pray that God will give him a fresh word for the church every Sunday and that hearts will be prepared to receive it. Fellow pastors, I encourage you to get a word from God for your people. If the Lord leads you to use someone else’s outline, etc., make it your own by “putting the meat on the bones,” giving credit where it is due, or simply tell your people that you have not heard from God and not preaching that Sunday.
Preaching is of eternal importance and it is on behalf of the Almighty. It is too important for us not to go straight to the source for our sermons. God help us to be faithful!
3 responses to “Integrity in the Pulpit”
I am proud to sit under this man of integrity!
If plainly says to relie on the spirit and he will give you the words to say thank you for praying and listening to the Holy Spirit. As a congregation we need more than pretty intelligent words we need to feel the Holy Spirit move in those sermons in each one of us and if we both come prepared we will not be disappointed.
I believe you are correct in saying a minister is to deliver their message to the congregation as lead by the Holy Spirit. It is to be prayed over, researched, organized then presented to the congregation so God will be glorified and to tap the hearts of those who have come to listen to the message.
I thought that’s what ministers do. Guess some take shortcuts. Perhaps they had a bad week or two, are tired or drained then they should have a guest speaker come in so they can become refreshed. I have no doubt it’s a rough and very demanding job.
If a minister feels like a message he’s heard is so important that it needs to be shared with his congregation, then ask permission to present it in it’s entirety to the congregation, giving full credit, full discourse and thanks to the person who created it.
I have not heard you preach, other than my sisters funeral. I think you were fantastic and I know she would have loved it too. Our three grown kids who could not come down were very impressed with the ceremony too.
God created us all unique and with that the way you deliver a sermon will be unique as well. My prayer will always be that your message is clear, concise and an inspiration from God our Father and that the Holy Spirit will use it to glorify God and open hearts to receiving Him.