I just spent some time together with Mike Roth. We were discussing a couple of passages and some teaching preaching related issues. Interesting comment that lingered in my mind and heart. We both said essentially the same thing, “I love it when I don’t preach on a weekend . . . and I hate it when I don’t preach on a weekend.”
Preaching stirs something very deep. It stirs up all sorts of emotion and tension. It stirs up all sorts of passion. If you are a regular preacher, enjoy the next break you get. Be thankful for the rest. But be thankful for the privilege of getting back to it too.
Biblical Preaching 
I think I would love to preach. I have not been called – or have I? I teach in a church regularly. That is the way many would express it. The truth is God teaches, I mainly just read His Scripture out loud.
It would be nice to be able to communicate with preachers. But they are all too busy. They have no time for the “pew sitters.” And they are almost always “stressed out” because the burden of the Lord is SO HARD. SO I get my “preacher fellowship” from “dead guys” such as Calvin, Henry, Luther, etc. (I don’t care for too many of the modern guys – I suppose they are telling people how busy they are.
So I don’t get to communicate with alive preachers. If I do write them, it is usually months – no not really – it is NEVER that they write back – unless I send them a compliment or I say something with which they disagree. Immediate response – usually begins with -“…don’t have much time …” and ends with “… because I am so busy … , … I’ll get to it someday ….” Yeah, like NEVER!
This “pew sitter” works for a living, and “preaches” on Sundays. He also “witnesses” all week long. This is not bragging – it is the NORMAL Christian life – I hope. This “pew sitter” has found pleasure in his secular work, because he works for God. So Sunday is a real blessing (the good kind) that to which he always looks forward – yes, even when getting ready for a “sermon” is not pleasant.
Guess I know what you mean. But then again, it hit me wrong, as if you were – complaining. But then if I were a preacher, I would be too busy too.
Peter,
Thank you for realizing I am not ranting. I am not attempting to make a blanket statement about all pastors. The ones with whom I have been more closely associated unfortunately caused my comments. I love these men dearly! And I have done some discussion with them, but I thought a more
“anonymous” comment might get the attention of a larger audience. Your article just reminded me of “the other side’s” opinion.
I am an engineer by trade, but I don’t “hang” with engineers in particular as a Christian. Certainly I relate more easily to other men in my area of expertise, but I know I can’t grow socially if I surround myself with only engineers. Pastors, the ones I know, seem to consider their confidants to be other preachers. I think because of this, they tend to put the
individuals in their “flocks” in categories. Then they minister to the categories.
I have had to really dig to get doctrine straight. I see things in
Scripture, but I want to make sure that other true Christians see the same
things. Because of the “impossibility” of being able to spend enough
discussion time with live pastors, I have resorted to checking myself
against the reformers writings. I learned to trust them after comprehending
the doctrines of grace. Yet there are modern developments (ie.
dispensationalism) that these fellows did not experience. There are also
many other issues that exist today that need to be determined for there
truthfulness.
I believe there are Christians within the various Christian fellowships that are experiencing the same thing as I am. Some show up on the internet. Without the interaction of good interactive discussion with knowledgeable pastors, these Christians must turn to other sources to acquire more
agreeing witnesses. A quick look at the various self-professed
“nonprofessional preachers” on the internet demonstrates a problem that now exists: old heresies are being repeated, and I think some of these “self-professors” are real true Christians. They have been led into error by the other many TV, radio, and internet professional preachers. They too probably can’t “get the time of day” with their pastors. So they, as I, have quit trying.
I believe the most important person in the church is each Christian. And the most important pastor in the church is the local pastor in your fellowship.
I hope this clarifies my statements. I do appreciate your time, but I am really only speaking of pastors known to me. Yet I suspect that many pastors who participate with your website, and maybe even you, have Christians in the pews that would greatly appreciate a Christian relationship with them, as just Christians in addition to pastor – member relationships.
Love In Christ Jesus (LICJ)
Joe