Who can preach in your church's pulpit?

This is good stuff, omalley. I think that the in-fighting has done a tremendous amount of harm to Fundamentalism - especially in the last 40 or 50 years. Whenever I am invited to preach at a church, the pastor and myself have a general idea of what we do and don't agree on. These things in NO WAY make me compromise the message of the Gospel, nor am I going there to "convert" folks to my particular brand of soteriology or ecclesiology. I have found sweet fellowship with folks from all over the spectrum. If they hold to the 5 Fundamentals, we're not going to have a serious problem (in most cases).

 

The doctrine of separation cuts both ways, and likewise it can destroy things both ways if applied incorrectly. Sometimes it's better that Calvinists and non-Calvinists/Arminians should not co-operate in ecclesiastical functions, such as preaching in another's pulpit. I don't think it's a problem except for a some who make it a hobby-horse to excoriate another because of their 'non-fundamentalist' soteriological views. We all believe in the same Gospel, in which it is Christ alone who saves!

 

While we all believe the same core doctrines, it's the baggage that's added by some that causes a pastor to choose his substitutes carefully. Such baggage includes legalism, KJVO, etc.

 

Pulpit affiliation:

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump"

Selah,

Bro. James

 

I am very selective as to who I will allow to preach to our church. I do not worry as much about C vs. A as I do about their doctrines on Scripture and on Christ.

 

Pretty much, if they stick to SCRIPTURE and not to personal interpretation, you shouldn't have to worry about their "theology".

But, some churches practice a closed pulpit. And that is their choice. Such as, if you are not an ordained minister of our denomination (or, our fellowship of churches).

 

As a retired minister, I get to preach in a number of different churches and denominations. There is an ethic in preaching to be observed. I don't go out of my way to preach my exclusive theology. There is so much of the word to expound upon one does not have to be exclusivistic.

My ANglican brethren know I am a baptist, so there is no need to preach on baptism by immersion only.

Cheers,

Jim

 

C or A--it matters not?

Grace or works? It does not matter.

Better order a double portion of "un-homogenized milk" for the congregation.

Ecumenism is running rampant. The Nicolaitans are growing stronger.

"Come out from among them, saith the Lord; touch not the unclean thing."

Pastors: the pulpit belongs to The Assembly which belongs to The Lord--what a solemn responsibility to get it right.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

Arminianism

Alien Baptism

Open communion

Not many can survive these three paradigms.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

Arminianism

Alien Baptism

Open communion

Not many can survive these three paradigms.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

Anyone who preaches in the pulpit must make sure what they are preaching lines up with the Word of God. Before evangalists or visiting ministers were allowed to speak in my pulpit, I requested tapes of sermons they had preached. I also visited the churches if they were local.

As leaders of the flock, pastors are responsible for the Word that goes forth from their sanctuary God has entrusted them with.

Know those who labor among you; make full proof of your ministers. Try the spirits to see if they are of God.

 

Most of what has been said so far is good, but no one has said this yet, so I thought I would put in my two yen worth. I only invite men to speak in my pulpit who I believe would be a blessing and a help to my people. Remember the purpose of a preacher according to Eph. 4:11-13 is to help the people grow in Christ and learn to serve him. So I don't care how orthodox someone is, if I don't think he will help my people, I won't have him. I am a shepherd, and a shepherd must think of his sheep first.

Concerning doctrine, twice I've had men who wanted to preach for me (I didn't solicit either one) but who didn't agree with me doctrinally. Both men refused to agree not to preach those particular teachings in my (God's) pulpit, so--they didn't come! Simple as that!

 

What I don't get is why standards (you said "legalism") of dress and a die hard belief in the preservation of God's Word (you termed "KJVO") is baggage.

 

The problem is that many asssemblies are like the Nicolaitans. But what else is new. It has been happening since the beginning of time not just now. Look at what God had to deal with in the OT.

 

With the exception of missionaries on deputation coming to present their work, I have to have personal knowledge of the individual, or they must come highly recommended by a close friend before I would invite them to preach.

I would not allow a Calvinist to preach for me. I would not allow a Preterist to preach for me.
I would not allow a Universalist to preach for me.
I would not allow anything but the KJV to be used in the pulpit. The preacher and I may disagree on the version issue, but he must agree to use the KJV when he preaches for me.

 

Although I do not agree with Pastor_Bob's standards for who can preach in his pulpit, I think he has every right to determine who will preach in the pulpit of his church.

The Pastor must look after his flock as the Lord leads him.