If American Idol Judged Preachers
May 7, 2008
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Posted by Ray Fowler
Mark Roberts has some fun imagining what it would be like if American Idol judged preachers.
Can you imagine what it might be like if the American Idol judges weighed in after your pastor’s next sermon?
Randy: Look, dude, check it out. Ya know, that really worked for me, man. That sermon was outstanding. It was da bomb!
Paula: I’m so proud of you because you’re really being yourself with us. Plus, you look great today. I just love you and can’t say anything bad about you because I never say anything bad about anybody, except Simon.
Simon: I’ve got to be honest with you, pastor. I came to hear the word of God today. But what I got was more like the baby talk of demons. You just didn’t do your homework this week. Frankly, your sermon was a nightmare! If I were you, I’d pack my bags.
I don’t think I want Simon on my board of deacons. Have you ever played “judge the preacher” during Sunday lunch after church? (Be honest now!)
Categories: Fun, Preaching, Television
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The answer is yes, sometimes! But mostly favorable. I think one should always look for the good in a sermon, even if one is not impressed with that particular message. It is important not to be judgmental, unless the preacher is giving out wrong doctrine. If a Pastor is honestly presenting God’s Word, we have no right to be critical if it is not exactly what we wanted.
The next question is: how does the preacher feel about criticism? I’m sure it hurts. But does he look back objectively to see if he can learn through this?
I guess I cannot be objective, being the mother of this Pastor! But I think your messages are very well-thought out, and meaningful. I particularly liked the recent one on Hannah, which I read in full, after seeing Bethany’s comments. Thank you for sharing these sermons on the blog.
Margaret – I agree. We should always be looking for what good we can learn from the message rather than just criticizing the preacher. How does the preacher feel about criticism? I don’t mind if someone has a theological question arising from the message — in fact I want people to be asking those kinds of questions. I have received helpful comments on delivery or distracting mannerisms in the past. But then I have also had people nitpick non-essential items, which isn’t very helpful — e.g. “You split an infinitive in that phrase,” etc. What most preachers really want is for people to forget them as much as possible and to ask, “God, what do you want to teach me through this message today?”