The Loss of Power

A call to preach quite naturally would take the one called to the pulpit.   What is the  case nowdays is that many are called and go preach, but with some disdain for the pulpit.  The rationale is understandable.  For some the pulpit is a physical barrier that separates the preacher from the people.  Instead of preaching from behind a pulpit, many are choosing these days to attach the microphone around their ear and go out among the people and preach.  Being closer seems to be something which seems to be better to those who would walk away from the pulpit.    

I guess old habits are hard to break for this old worn out Methodist preacher who has found the pulpit to be an important place in preaching as well as in the silent message it proclaims about preaching the Word of God in the sanctuary.   As I reflect on years of preaching with a pulpit either in front of me, or near me as an anchoring point, I have come to see it as visible reminder that there is only one thing worth preaching about and that is the Word of God.  The pulpit is a visible sign of the "Thus saith the Lord..." tradition of the Old Testament.  To stray from this tradition is something which truly compromises the power and authority of preaching.   

Of course, in some circles preaching is no longer seen as the authoritative Word of God.  In many places when the Scripture is read, the preacher will say, "The Word of God for the people of God,"  and the people complete the ritual by saying, "Thanks be to God."   Not many who preach would be comfortable today leading the congregation in the same ritual at the conclusion of a sermon.  When the preacher is uncomfortable making such a bold assertion about preaching, it is no wonder that the sermon has gone from being the Word of God to one person's opinion.  And, it is no wonder that the pulpit has lost its power.