Some time ago Churches of Christ began referring to their preachers as “pulpit ministers.” I do not know the origin of that term or the history of it in our movement. I have noticed that the use seems to be spreading.
Let me offer two thoughts on the use of the term “pulpit minister” and invite you to respond with your observations:
First, the Stone Campbell movement frequently pleaded with people to
call Bible things by Bible names. I believe that is good thinking. Most could probably list several areas in which some have insisted on this feature.
Interestingly, there is Bible name for “pulpit minister.” The Bible simply calls that person the “preacher.” What made us drop an appropriate Biblical name for one that originated elsewhere?
Second, in the current debates about the nature of worship, it is often common to use “entertainment” as a trump card. The reasoning is that if it is entertainment, then it could not possibly be worship.
So it becomes even more interesting that we use the word “pulpit” which comes from the Latin word “pulpitum” which means “stage.” So we replace Biblical “preachers” with “stage” ministers who speak in an “auditorium.”
The word “auditorium” fits nicely with “stage ministers.” “Auditorium” is a word which is usually used to describe a place where people gather to watch a show or the performers on the stage. In fact, most auditoriums are places of entetainment. Ironically we have used the word “auditorium” replace the biblical word “assembly.”
I am not trying to quibble about words, but to raise the question of expectations. Biblically the expectation of preachers is to share the Word of God with the assembled spiritual community. That kind of language allows the preacher to stay focused and helps the community understand what God expects to happen.
My intent here is to build on the pieces below about inductive and expository preaching. Inductive preaching engages the community in thinking about spiritual issues Expository preaching bases the inductive work on the Bible itself. Although this whole process can be made dry, the Bible has the potential of being quite interesting, challenging and probing.
Perhaps we ought to return to the biblical language which keeps us focused on the Bible rather than on the pulpit
minister, on God rather than the stage, on our relationship with the Father rather than rating worship like we might a new movie release.
Harold, the preacher.
Harold, thanks for your comments on Pulpit Minister. It’s not often we are questioned about long-standing terms and we need to keep focused on the Bible. thanks
I guess maybe going back to ‘evangelist’ would be problematic since the world does not generally come to hear the word preached from our pulpits anymore. To me, the word ‘evangelist’ seems more missional. Hard to feel sent standing in your home pulpit, I would think.
Preaching; from a Biblical sense seems to be something that is provided to those looking for the truth – again very few of those in our buildings on Sunday morning.
Based on a quick recollection of new testement examples (including all of Jesus’ teaching), most examples of preaching happen in either public, or at the very least, mixed environments.
Maybe if we as church members (me especially) got more involved with loving and serving our neighbors and co-workers, getting envolved in their lives, activities, problems and celebrations… and inviting them into ours, the world might find a reason to listen to our preachers. (or pulpit ministers)
I have personally always wondered why anyone would be called to minister to a pulpit. We have youth ministers for youth, women’s ministers for women, children’s ministers for children, and pulpit ministers for pulpits. It seems to logically follow, at least! 🙂
John, you are right. The world isn’t coming to a church to look for truth. At least not traditional, established, out of their element churches. I think the problem is three-fold. First, we have to reexamine Sundays and make them a place where the congregation is stirred for ministry and equipped to do that ministry in their daily lives. Second, we must provide a loving, welcoming environment for those who do come. Third, we must meet people where they are. That might mean feeding the homeless, giving clothes to the needy, church planting in a new area, empowering the minister to do Bible studies at the local coffee shop instead of at the church building, etc. Every context is different, but the end result is the same. We have to get out of the building and into the world in order to make a difference.
But yes, I am a big fan of biblical things by biblical names. Thanks for the reminder, Harold.
I have personally always wondered why anyone would be called to minister to a pulpit. We have youth ministers for youth, women’s ministers for women, children’s ministers for children, and pulpit ministers for pulpits. It seems to logically follow, at least! 🙂
John, you are right. The world isn’t coming to a church to look for truth. At least not traditional, established, out of their element churches. I think the problem is three-fold. First, we have to reexamine Sundays and make them a place where the congregation is stirred for ministry and equipped to do that ministry in their daily lives. Second, we must provide a loving, welcoming environment for those who do come. Third, we must meet people where they are. That might mean feeding the homeless, giving clothes to the needy, church planting in a new area, empowering the minister to do Bible studies at the local coffee shop instead of at the church building, etc. Every context is different, but the end result is the same. We have to get out of the building and into the world in order to make a difference.
But yes, I am a big fan of biblical things by biblical names. Thanks for the reminder, Harold.
It seems to me that when we being to digress from what is Biblical, even when, to some people, it is simply a matter of semantics, it gives license to stray further the simple requirements of God’s word, and allows for the interjection of words and rituals made for man, not for God. When this happens, it leaves the door open for the title of, ” Denomination”, to be. When man begins to add to what God has given us as a guide to living, in His word, then is it His word or ours?