Pulpit VS Transformation

Pulpit VS Transformation

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by t̶h̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶n̶e̶w̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶d̶  hearing more anointed preaching, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:2 (Today's Charismatic Translation)

But we all, with unveiled face, b̶e̶h̶o̶l̶d̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶a̶ ̶m̶i̶r̶r̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶g̶l̶o̶r̶y̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶L̶o̶r̶d̶  beholding the men of God and their anointed preaching, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. - 2 Cor 3:18 (Today's Charismatic Translation)

“If you abide in M̶y̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶d̶  prominent public figure's pulpit preaching, especially anointed type of preaching, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:31-32 (Today's Charismatic Translation)

Over the years, I have seen a number of pitfalls on pulpit preaching. In my personal outlook, while there is a place for pulpit preaching, it hardly transforms many believers' lives.

Note: It works more effectively for non-believers because the Gospel can be presented to many from the pulpit. Look at Jesus, Peter and Paul. Their preaching led many to believe in Christ, but not many disciples. The disciples were not multiplied by their preaching; they were multiplied as they gathered in communities, devoted themselves to the Word, communion and modelling the Way of life. By the way, there were no New Testament Scriptures in those days ---- so they had to hear the apostles. Now we have the complete Bible to devote ourselves to.

While I only preached for a few years at the pulpit, which is not a long span of time, I realised that life transformation and discipleship don't really take place because of pulpit preaching. 

Why is that so? In Singapore, there are plenty of teachings everywhere. We are an 'information-overloaded' generation. There are so many preaching sessions/seminars/conferences that we have listened/attended. As a result, there is a rojak understanding of the Word ---- which contains truths, half-truths (they are still lies) and lies. Sometimes, it is so subtle that we don't even know that we are believing in stuff that actually contradicts each other. For lies to be replaced by truths, there needs to be the constant pounding of truths. But before the truths could go deep into the hearts, we are already hearing various teachings that could possibly undo everything, if we are not diligent in self-study of the Word.

Disclaimer: No preacher is perfect. This is why we need to take own responsibility to study the Word on our own like the Bereans did.

This is the usual approach of some believers:

Hear a pulpit preaching -> Go back and check the Word -> Seems to confirm the preaching -> Believe in the preaching

This is my encouragement:

Study the Word on your own (with the Holy Spirit) -> Get a personal understanding, conviction and belief -> Hear a pulpit preaching -> Go back and check the Word -> DISCUSS & CHALLENGE each other on what is preached ----- is it what the Word is really saying?

If there is no place for a healthy evaluation, challenge and discussion, then it is not a healthy culture. There is no point sharing what this preacher or that pastor says if you don't know what the Bible really says. 

If we don't develop a personal understanding of the Word, we will always be tossed around by different doctrines. We will not be able to divide a pulpit preaching and reject what is untrue.We will not be able to sieve out various theologies and stand firm in what we believe (until we stand corrected by the Word). As a result, there is no transformation because there is no revelation of the Word of Life.

There is no shortcut to transformation. Discipleship, first, requires ownership. Disciples are made by abiding in the Word (John 8:32) and modelling after Christ (2 Cor 3:18) and His disciples (1 Cor 4:16). Not by hearing pulpit preaching, which hardly does much transformation.