In the last podcast, in episode 94, we talked about whether online teachers threaten the

authority of leaders in a local church.

Pastor John, in this episode, speak to average pastors, those who are fully aware that they

cannot compete with you, or Tim Keller, or Matt Chandler, or any number of online preachers

when it comes to preaching gift.

What would you say to an ordinary preacher in a local church?

I'd like to devote the rest of my life to encouraging him.

I taught a preaching class yesterday.

I've been teaching preaching for years, and most of these guys are average preachers,

I would say.

There are a few remarkable ones among them, and I give myself to try to encourage them.

And here's what I say.

When they're done preaching, I think one of the most important things I can say to them

is, you know, if you will do what you did there and just get better and better

at that, namely, opening to me a paragraph from the Bible that explains to me what these

phrases mean, applies them simply and earnestly and passionately, with a heartfelt and

prayerful attitude towards my life, I will grow under your ministry.

I remember one time years ago, I was called upon to give a teacher recommendation when

I was teaching at Bethel to a young seminary student who came to all of it about to search

to preach.

He gave me a form.

He said, would you fill this out when I'm done preaching?

...