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 At
the risk of praising the fool let us admit that sometimes a
loudmouthed egotist accomplishes things which have foiled the
self-effacing, humble person. Maybe he overpowers the opposition
with bluster, or enlists less bombastic folk in a sort of
awe-struck service. The church may experience a
preacher-centered growth that crumbles when he departs. But
there are times when it seems the difference in genuine failure
and success is a strutting, “look out, here we come” clown.
Training
and inclinations tell us to discourage all such conduct — to
class it as worldly pride which wars against the soul. But
examples of quiet “Milquetoast” failures suggest other
alternatives. Man is subject to classifications other than
introvert and extrovert. We must not equate boldness with pride,
nor the lack of faith and/or courage with humility. There was a
place for Peter.
Many
preachers will admit that in their “brush -arbor” days they
baptized more people than they do today. We can say the local
preacher baptizes them now, or people have “lost interest”
in religion, or “big meetings” are a thing of the past —
and there is some truth in all that. But preachers also change.
I would be hypocritical if I tried to preach the simplistic and
often crude sermons of my yesteryear. But it is possible to
become cynical, and quit believing
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that people want to be better, and that we can
give them what they need. The cock-sure, eyen “heady”
attitude of our earlier preaching may have worked some chemistry
that is left dormant today by more sophisticated and
conventional preaching.
I
recall a young man who took a brief course in door - to - door
salesmanship — and sold magazines like crazy until he realized
that his “pitch” was just that, and nothing more. When he
awakened, he couldn’t sell beans. He needed greater faith in
his product, and less in his technique. But if age and
experience are going to polish off a man’s enthusiasm for his
work, he is really “finished” as respects his use in God’s
vineyard.
I
am not ready to concede that the cocky young preachers know it
all, or that their work is complete without that of more mature
teaching. There are greater changes to be wrought than dry to
wet. If desire to teach remains, and faith is as strong as ever,
the more experienced man is more realistic in his appraisal of
men’s needs, and of what may be expected as results. But I
want to encourage the younger preacher. Fight on! Believe in God
and self, in that order. Amen!
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