Adult Conversation Topic: Preachers
by Doug Banks Radio Show
Today’s preachers… are they spiritual leaders or glorified modern day motivational speakers?
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Today’s preachers… are they spiritual leaders or glorified modern day motivational speakers?
I believe any individual who has a powerful, assertive voice can be a motivational speaker. I don’t believe it’s so much what you say but rather how it is said; how it is presented to the audience. I think that it is all in the delivery. If an individual uses a certain compelling tone they can easily captivate an audience, especially since the people who have shown up to listen to this person are already willing to believe what is being said. Also, I feel that if a speaker states something that sounds even remotely inspirational he will appear to be a great speaker because the people listening will be able to get something out of their speech.
People will always interpret what a motivational speaker says as something revolutionary and somehow completely related to their life. If they can find just one sentence that somehow seems to clear up something in their life, then they’ll believe everything else that person has to say [that's how cults get started...but that's another topic entirely, hehe]. Anyway, I don’t mean to say that motivational speakers are useless, I’m just saying that anyone who is charming and can hold the attention of an audience is capable of being one.
It’s really more about the presentation rather than the substance of the speech…just my opinion though.
Personally, I do not think there is anything wrong with pastors being motivational speakers IF they are backing up their words with scripture. The New Testament is full information on how to live better and there is nothing wrong with pointing that out. All sermons should not focus on hell and damnation. Jesus preached the gospel which mean, “good news” and that is what I like to hear.
Preachers by the nature of their calling are motivational speakers however their main calling is to listen to and be guided by the Holy Spirit. No where in the Bible does it say to quote the verse when speaking the word. That is man’s way. The Bible just tells us to speak the Word. Which by the Joel Osteen and Bishop Jakes always weaves the word in and through their message. All of us should be encouraging each other and not just waiting for that special person to tell us what we want to hear. Preachers are leaders of the church and its people so they must motivate, encourage, convict, call us out so we can realize the change God intended for each one of us. AS for the money the Bible tells us very clearly to give a tenth of all and give an offering to those in need. We want to do what we want to do so we think the preacher just wants our money. Don’t get me confused some preachers are in it for thr money and manipulating the Word for their benefit.
Spiritual leaders ARE motivational speakers. However, motivational speakers are not by definition spiritual leaders. #1: Spiritual leaders seek understanding and connection of the soul in His Name. They transfer that passion to others- hence ‘motivation’. #2: Motivational speakers seek understanding and connection, but not necessarily of the soul, or in His Name. Today’s preachers? Depends on the messenger. There’s hope out there & also plain old Satan’s work.