You claim the pastor has no roll in educating and informing, that the sermon by your definition serves really no purpose... Preaching is educating and informing my friend, its not simply regurgitating words for the sake of hearing oneself speak.< p> Preaching is to advocate or inculcate (inculcate - to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly )
A Preacher is there to teach and inform, not just repeat as nauseum, or deliver a sermon for no reason other than to hear their own voice.
A Pastor cannot lead a flock that he does not know. I find it amazing you claim that a man can do more than God incarnate.
You state:
What is important is that we are known (and that we know) the one True Shepherd.
Hmmm... so one who does not know you, and cannot know you because frankly the size of your "church" makes it impossible, is going to be able to aid you in better knowing the Lord? Wow... glad you cleared that up (rolling eyes).
You touch peoples hearts and minds by KNOWING them, no paster of a "flock" of 10,000 will know his charges, well other than those with the deepest pockets anyway.
You seem to think teaching and preaching are seperate, they are not. Yes all churches have more in depth study for those who desire it, but the very essence of preaching is teaching.. your denial of this seems to pretty much prove my point regarding megachurches in general.
You believe my stands unbiblical, I find yours borderline heretical. To believe that preaching is not at its essence teaching is to say that Jesus Christ himself was not a teacher. This flies in the face of all of the New Testament.
If you attend a mega church and the dog and pony show on sunday morning makes you feel good, good for you. However there is absolutely no way that preacher is performing his duties as put forth by the example Christ himself and the Apostles after him.
No, what I was claiming is that the gifts of teaching and preaching are two different gifts. Churches have Sunday School and bible study for teaching. The pastor does the preaching, and may in some cases also teach one of the Sunday School or bible studies if he is so gifted.
Preaching is educating and informing my friend, its not simply regurgitating words for the sake of hearing oneself speak.
Preaching is about speaking the gospel, encouraging the saints and admonishing them as needed. Deeper teaching comes from Sunday School class, bible studies and from mentors if they are so gifted, as well as from our individual study of scripture and prayer time. Not that the pastor doesn't impart information during preaching, of course, but once again, preaching and teaching are two different spiritual gifts. (Doesn't matter what the dictionary says - look to the bible.)
Ultimately, it is up to the Holy Spirit and the individual to learn and discern the truth. Some third party can't force it on you.
A Pastor cannot lead a flock that he does not know.
Your opinion, nothing more.
I find it amazing you claim that a man can do more than God incarnate.
LOL You cannot defend your position from the bible, so you make up stuff. Your strawman has fallen down and can't get up.
Hmmm... so one who does not know you, and cannot know you because frankly the size of your "church" makes it impossible, is going to be able to aid you in better knowing the Lord?
You seem awfully lazy. Nothing is stopping you or me from going to the pastor and asking for his help (or for a Sunday School teacher's help, or a mentor's help, or anyone else's help) if I desire a closer walk with the Lord. First and foremost, it is MY responsibility, and I should be working on that myself through bible study and prayer in addition to any help I may request.
You touch peoples hearts and minds by KNOWING them, no paster of a "flock" of 10,000 will know his charges, well other than those with the deepest pockets anyway.
But touch them in what way? Any man can 'touch' someone's heart with pretty words. From a spiritual perspective, what is important is being touched by the Holy Spirit. Your continual efforts to pin all the responsibility on the pastor and limit the ability of the Holy Spirit is very telling. (In addtion to your refusal to acknowledge that Jesus is God and that the bible is God's word.)
You seem to think teaching and preaching are seperate, they are not.
If you care to, you can read 1 Corinthians and see that they are, indeed, separate spiritual gifts.
You believe my stands unbiblical, I find yours borderline heretical.
Your stands are unbiblical, and therefore, you assessment as to what is heretical is meaningless.
One of the most important charges that are given to the head Pastors of Mega churches is to develop a Christian community within the larger community. Many of them, perhaps most of them, have succeeded in doing so.
You understand that there’s not just one pastor at New Life, but many. These pastors and elders and deacons personally interact with members of the church, and know them well.