Behind the pulpit- an important place to be

  • Shelly Webb
  • February 1, 2011
  • 325
                        
Can you imagine having a large group of individual’s attention for about an hour every week? What would you convey to that group? How would you impact their lives? Well, most pastors in our country live that scenario. They have huge opportunities to exclaim the truth of Christ and to build and balance faith and to be bold in that faith. Area Pastor Cliff Hartley of Cliff Hartley Ministries and Northside Baptist Church understands the great opportunity afforded to pastors every single Sunday. He sees the pulpit as a great resource to impacting lives. “The largest bloc of people meets fifty-two times a year in local churches all over the world,” Hartley said. “Before this massive crowd stand pastors behind pulpits with open Bibles declaring God’s eternal Word. Coupled with this phenomenon, thousands of Christian radio and TV stations air the gospel of Jesus Christ to un-told millions in the privacy of their homes and convalescent care facilities who cannot get to worship services.” Millions are touched with a message or sermon every single week. In addition to church buildings, radios and television ministries, the internet also brings the Word of God to individuals 24/7, 365 days a year. “There is no other group (outside of pastors) in the entire world with such a stage,” Hartley added! According to the Gallop Research Organization approximately 40% or 118 million Americans attend church each week. That’s 118 million chances to make an impact or change a life. Gallop also reports that the top three denominations in the U.S. are Catholic, Southern Baptist and United Methodist so the pastors of these three denominations have an even greater impact because more people are listening to what they preach. Also the “Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches” reports there are 600,000 pastors currently serving in America, that’s 600,000 individuals that are looked up to, trusted and listened to on a weekly basis. Hartley is right when he says, “no other group has such a stage”. So what is this group doing on their stage? It would appear that the pastor in the pulpit has quite a bit of influence and power. But with that influence and power comes great responsibility. Hartley knows the responsibility that comes with holding a place in the pulpit, after all he has preached for many years. But do all those that occupy a pulpit on Sunday morning realize the call they possess? Do they understand that the eternity of many may depend on what they preach and teach? Hartley believes the pulpit is a serious place where truth must be taught. “The pulpits of the world cannot afford to become silent with an ankle-depth message of sugar coating the divine word,” Hartley shared. “Issues of sin, judgment, hell, heaven, and the Savior of the world need to be addressed. Paul instructed Pastor Timothy to stay put (behind the pulpit) and bring charges on those who teach bad doctrine. (It is serious and has to be treated as such.)” Today there are all kinds of pastors with all kinds of messages, but Hartley believes the most important message is the one that will lead people to the truth of the Savior. He believes the pulpit is the one place that should build faith, balance faith and be bold in the faith. “From the pulpit comes forth a message that builds faith, a message of repentance of sin, and being conformed in the image of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he shared. “We know who we are, whose we are and where we are going. This faith builds the believer to face the future knowing who holds the future.” “Balancing faith also comes from the pulpit,” he added. “Love, peace, and a belief in God’s will, will keep one on the straight and narrow path with an overwhelming abundance of joy. From the pulpit comes faith to know you are on God’s schedule, all things are working together for the good, and knowing in whom you have believed.” According to the Bible we are to read the Word and then “rightly divide the truth” when it is preached. Hartley agrees that it is vitally important for everyone that attends a church make sure what is being preached lines up accurately with the Word of God. “We know who is true, we rightly divide the truth, and we have the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence to confirm every jot and tittle,” Hartley said. “Without this, the love of the world and the pleasures of sin will alter your course.” The final action coming from the pulpit according to Hartley should be “boldness”. Pastors need to be bold and true to God’s Word even when it’s unpopular or uncomfortable. More gospel preaching is the answer in Hartley’s view. “It seems to me that more Gospel preaching from our pulpits is the answer,” he said. “When faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, lives will be changed for the better now and then. We have the means and the message to save all men. Pulpits need to be on fire with glorious gospel that was given by the blessed God.” The role of the pastor in our lives may actually be more important and more impacting than that of politicians, lawmakers and presidents. Pastors guide and lead and proclaim the Word of God. They influence our actions and lives and help us understand what we believe and why we believe it. The power of a pastor is greater than we realize, but so is the responsibility he has to God.


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