JD Greear doesn't prepare his own sermons

[Bob Jones V]

When I was a pastor, I prepared all of my own work. I did all the research, all the writing, all the listening, if any.

and https://protestia.com/2022/10/19/j-...-assistants-once-the-church-has-enough-money/

He says he uses "research Assistants" to get his work done.

How then can the text do its sanctifying work in your heart if you are just basically presenting someone else's worl?

John MacArthur, in his book on Expository Preaching, said "Do not come out of that office until you have a word from God that has affected your deepest being."

 

[Dr. Huk-N-Duck]

I used to hear preachers condemning what was called “canned messages,” which I guess was sermons a preacher could purchase. This was pre-internet days, so I’m sure it became much more prolific since.

 

[AverageJoe]

There are many pastors who use research assistants to gather background information. To be fair, and I'm not a fan of Greear's, most who do use them look over the information and check for accuracy and how this information can be implemented into the sermon. They will then cherry-pick the information they are going to use. At least most I know who use assistants do so. I would prefer they did their own research, but, that's between them and God. If they're still doctrinally sound in their preaching, then I won't fault them for their methodology.

 

[Ekklesian]

Saying one uses research assistants isn't the same as saying one doesn't prepare his own sermons. If one uses commentaries, dictionaries, encyclopedias and lexicons in his prep, he's basically availing himself of the work done by others.

Reading an English bible is basically availing yourself of someone else's work.

Perfectly legit.

 

[AverageJoe]

I only know of one or two preachers who don't use any outside guides in their study/prep for their sermons.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Here is a link to how he claimed to prepare sermons several years ago. Maybe his methodology has changed (I haven't listened to the link in the OP yet) but the self described format is fairly standard. If the implied premise of the OP is accurate I would take exception to the (over)reliance upon other sources. Having said that I do agree with Joe and Ekk that essentially there's nothing new under the sun and we all ultimately synthesize ideas from other sources. So, all that to say, depends on how he utilizes those resources as to whether I think his methods are appropriate. Now, off to listen to the YouTube link, maybe .

 

[ALAYMAN]

You can listen to the fuller context starting at the 26 minute mark. At that point he explains that the purpose for utilizing other staff resources and the congregants is to gain a larger and diversified perspective for and from his hearing audience (under the auspices of a "multitude of counselors"). And the small clip that is being used by protestsia is a decontextualized snippet. In the total analysis of what he says, other researchers/staffers input is only one component of how he assimilates sermon prep material.

 

[Dr. Huk-N-Duck]

Having said that I do agree with Joe and Ekk that essentially there's nothing new under the sun and we all ultimately synthesize ideas from other sources.

Take this with a grain of salt from a guy who, admittedly, has never preached a sermon in his life…but I thought preachers were supposed to dig through Scriptures, pray, and have the Holy Spirit direct the outline of a sermon. Obviously I understand the need to use outside resources, examples and inspiration, but the idea of “nothing new under the sun” is a bit of a surprise to me given the way in which I thought most sermons are formulated.

 

[AverageJoe]

You can listen to the fuller context starting at the 26 minute mark. At that point he explains that the purpose for utilizing other staff resources and the congregants is to gain a larger and diversified perspective for and from his hearing audience (under the auspices of a "multitude of counselors"). And the small clip that is being used by protestsia is a decontextualized snippet. In the total analysis of what he says, other researchers/staffers input is only one component of how he assimilates sermon prep material.

I find his explanation plausible and appropriate. There's nothing wrong with utilizing others in preparation as long as it's not his goal to copy their work as his own.

 

[Ekklesian]

I listened some since Alayman told us where to start. Greer talked about hearing texts read by single parents and those who are divorced. Basically, he's seeking insight. And so I see where Bob is coming from. Greer is seeking something he lacks for entering into the ministry at a relatively young age (I feel). Pastors need to be someone who've been through the storms of life. They're called 'elders' for a reason. They need knowledge, true, but knowledge puffeth up...and puffeth extraordinarily in the young. But pastors, above all, need to love. A good shepherd gives his life for his sheep.

Yes, yes, yes. I know Timothy was young, but he was an extraordinary case. (What has been posted on this board about so-called youth pastors should be a warning to everyone.)

 

[AverageJoe]

I listened some since Alayman told us where to start. Greer talked about hearing texts read by single parents and those who are divorced. Basically, he's seeking insight. And so I see where Bob is coming from. Greer is seeking something he lacks for entering into the ministry at a relatively young age (I feel). Pastors need to be someone who've been through the storms of life. They're called 'elders' for a reason. They need knowledge, true, but knowledge puffeth up...and puffeth extraordinarily in the young. But pastors, above all, need to love. A good shepherd gives his life for his sheep.

Yes, yes, yes. I know Timothy was young, but he was an extraordinary case. (What has been posted on this board about so-called youth pastors should be a warning to everyone.)

I would have to say I agree with you here, Ekk....I know...unusual, eh? Yet, I've known far too many younger pastors who have given bad advice, been involved in scandalous activity, and just didn't have the wisdom, OR THE KNOWLEDGE, to be in ministry as a Sr. pastor. When I was a young lay preacher years ago, standing in for churches that didn't have a pastor at the time, I knew a lot...I to some degree had a lot of wisdom having been raised in a Christian home and having gone to Christian school from 8th grade through my Sr. year. I worked closely with many pastors over those years, and made sure I associated myself with many who were in the ministry. Still, I know many of the older people would have liked to have had a pastor/lay preacher who was older, more experienced, and who had weathered many of the trials of life.

 

[Dr. Huk-N-Duck]

Still, I know many of the older people would have liked to have had a pastor/lay preacher who was older, more experienced, and who had weathered many of the trials of life.

There really is no substitute for life experiences. The older I get, the more I realize what geniuses my grandparents were, and they were just simple people from the rural South who barely graduated high school and never stepped on a college campus until their children graduated from college.

 

[Dr. Huk-N-Duck]

I would have to say I agree with you here, Ekk....I know...unusual, eh? Yet, I've known far too many younger pastors who have given bad advice, been involved in scandalous activity, and just didn't have the wisdom, OR THE KNOWLEDGE, to be in ministry as a Sr. pastor. When I was a young lay preacher years ago, standing in for churches that didn't have a pastor at the time, I knew a lot...I to some degree had a lot of wisdom having been raised in a Christian home and having gone to Christian school from 8th grade through my Sr. year. I worked closely with many pastors over those years, and made sure I associated myself with many who were in the ministry. Still, I know many of the older people would have liked to have had a pastor/lay preacher who was older, more experienced, and who had weathered many of the trials of life.

Just curious, did you ever consider becoming a pastor full time? Based on posts I’ve read, it always seems you enjoyed the position and you definitely have biblical knowledge and the background. Seems like you might have made a great pastor, or at least assistant pastor.

 

[Ransom]

He says he uses "research Assistants" to get his work done.

I could see getting assistance with background or secondary research, or as it appears Greear is saying, offering a variety of perspectives, to aid with sermon prep.

But the ministry of the Word is the pastor's primary function, and he should be able to interpret the Scriptures, organize, prepare, and deliver a sermon via the use of his own rhetorical skills, and we should expect him to do so without resorting to canned sermons or outlines. If he doesn't have the time, perhaps the church needs to find someone to free his time up from administrative duties; if he doesn't have those skills, he's underqualified for the job and needs more training.

 

[AverageJoe]

Just curious, did you ever consider becoming a pastor full time? Based on posts I’ve read, it always seems you enjoyed the position and you definitely have biblical knowledge and the background. Seems like you might have made a great pastor, or at least assistant pastor.

Yes, I certainly did consider it. In fact, I candidated for several different churches back 30 years or so ago. I was extended the possibility of becoming a pastor for three of them, but, because of the situations in those churches, I declined to become their pastor. One was a church split...I told them because of the circumstances surrounding the split, they needed to try and reconcile with the other side. They refused and were totally hateful towards the side they had left. The reasons for the split? The color of the carpet and paint in the sanctuary. UGH! The second church had been declining in attendance for several years, and most of the older people in the church didn't believe it was their responsibility to try and bring people into the church by witnessing and being active in the community. I got 97% of the vote, and I declined on the spot. I didn't know I was candidating then, either. The third was a church that had seen their pastor resign, take thousands of dollars and hit the road with a deacons wife. It wasn't a good thing. I got 87% of the vote there, and nearly took the church. But, I was not totally sure that I belonged there. There was one family that seemed to run the church. The last one was in 2005. I nearly took the church we were attending after a split. I had been active on the pastoral staff, though not paid. There was an assistant, the pastor, and me. After one deacon had called for the pastors resignation, and he did resign as not to cause any more trouble than had already been caused by this deacon, the assistant pastor resigned. My wife and I stayed with the original church, while most went with the split. After six weeks of filling the pulpit, many asked me to become the pastor. But, I came under attack by this same deacon, and I pulled a Martin Luther, and left my resignation and the reasons why on the door, and my wife and I went and joined the split. I became, once again, an "assistant" pastor, though not officially on staff, and unpaid. This church had the pastor from the first church, and he resigned on Christmas day, leaving the assistant pastor to become the pastor. I became assistant, but resigned when the church started to lean towards the charismatic movement. I'm not sure I would ever want to become the pastor of a church with all I've seen but would do so if the Lord opened the door.

 

[Dr. Huk-N-Duck]

I'm not sure I would ever want to become the pastor of a church with all I've seen but would do so if the Lord opened the door.

I think that’s the key…you never know what the Lord has planned.

 

[AverageJoe]

I think that’s the key…you never know what the Lord has planned.

I would never try to thwart God's will for my life. I've learned over time that it's not a wise move!

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Take this with a grain of salt from a guy who, admittedly, has never preached a sermon in his life…but I thought preachers were supposed to dig through Scriptures, pray, and have the Holy Spirit direct the outline of a sermon. Obviously I understand the need to use outside resources, examples and inspiration, but the idea of “nothing new under the sun” is a bit of a surprise to me given the way in which I thought most sermons are formulated.

I‘d say the way sermons are formulated varies exponentially, depending on who’s doing the ‘formulating’. I would love to have a research assistant, some weeks more than others. When I prepare a message, I read multiple commentaries, research word studies and, depending on the material, may look for historic or contemporary illustrations to illuminate the points.

I gather my info and put the message together in outline form in a similar manner to the way I prepared research papers in college and seminary. And you do this praying regularly/constantly for the Holy Spirit to give insight and discernment as you prepare.

 

[AverageJoe]

I‘d say the way sermons are formulated varies exponentially, depending on who’s doing the ‘formulating’. I would love to have a research assistant, some weeks more than others. When I prepare a message, I read multiple commentaries, research word studies and, depending on the material, may look for historic or contemporary illustrations to illuminate the points.

I gather my info and put the message together in outline form in a similar manner to the way I prepared research papers in college and seminary. And you do this praying regularly/constantly for the Holy Spirit to give insight and discernment as you prepare.

I would often read several differing commentaries on the verses being spoken on, then I would also listen to several sermons on the subject, as well as doing my own research. I never asked anyone to do my background work for me. I couldn't.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

I would often read several differing commentaries on the verses being spoken on, then I would also listen to several sermons on the subject, as well as doing my own research. I never asked anyone to do my background work for me. I couldn't.

I don’t see an issue at all of other people doing research.