The Use of Internet Sermon Resources: A Study in Christian Preaching Among Nazarene Pastors in the United States

Corey MacPherson

The Study

Sermons and sermon resources are readily available to pastors now more than ever before, thanks to the Internet. The number of Web sites that provides sermon manuscripts, outlines, illustrations, and video/movie clips is growing . . . and so is the controversy on the appropriate use of such sources. In August 2008 I conducted a research study among senior pastors in the Church of the Nazarene, USA. The purpose of this doctoral dissertation research was to identify the beliefs and practices of senior pastors regarding the use of Internet sermon resources for regular sermon preparation. This research studied pastors who are required by the Church of the Nazarene to have formal training before they begin pulpit ministry, as is the case for most Christian churches in the United States. While the historical component of this study found that use of others’ sermons is not new in church history, what may be new is the fact that so many educated and trained pastors are readily using sermons that were prepared by others and often for other congregations.

The study consisted of a researcher-designed, open-ended questionnaire that was posted online by the Research Center for the Church of the Nazarene. I then sent an e-mail to all Nazarene senior pastors in the United States inviting them to participate in the study. All responses were anonymous, returned to the Research Center and then forwarded on to me. Over 300 pastors participated in the study. The purpose of this article is not to give my opinion on the research topic or significant findings but rather to simply report the findings.

The Findings

The significant findings of this study include the following: (1) Nazarene pastors believe “times of crisis” are justifiable reasons to use Internet sermon resources regularly for sermon preparation; (2) the definition of appropriate use of Internet sermon resources varies from pastor to pastor; (3) pastors holding differing perspectives commonly agree that the regular use of Internet sermon resources should be judged by the benefit or the detriment to both pastors and congregations; though intense disagreement exists on whether or not the regular use of such sources is actually beneficial or detrimental and, (4) pastors on all sides of the issue believe bi-vocational pastors should be allowed different rules.

Times of Crisis

Approximately two-thirds of the responding pastors believe that times of crisis are justifiable reasons to regularly use Internet sermon resources. One bi-vocational pastor’s response highlights this point:

Three years ago I went through a period of depression . . . It was the first time in my life that I was what could be called clinically depressed. . . . The next six months I began using sermons that I found online . . . but I did tell the people what was going on . . . and they actually supported me, prayed for me and loved me through a very difficult time.

Although two-thirds of the respondents agreed that “times of crisis” justify heavily using Internet resources, there was not overwhelming agreement of the need to let congregations know when they are drawing extensively upon other sources. Quotes like, “Rick Warren says we do not need to give him credit for what we use from his site” were not uncommon throughout the study. Several pastors mentioned they do not see the need to cite the original author of the sermon and gave reasons why:

How would this be any different than using commentaries or study bibles or sermon outline helps. You are cutting & pasting from the internet rather than a book.
Should??? not necessarily. Should a pastor report every resource used from non-Internet sources? Nope! Pastors are preachers (who declare the Word of God) not presenters (who dispense information). Crediting every resource whether Internet or non-Internet would undermine Spirit-led preaching. If preachers teach then perhaps more resource crediting would be in order.

What difference does it make if it is from a book or an Internet site . . . information is information.

NO, . . . unless I am quoting verbatim from the resource. I don’t use that logic when I use inspiration from books or other literature. If it is not a direct excerpt,... let it go. I love the internet resources whose authors say "use it as you please."

No, almost all sermons are prepared from outside sources. Whether from devotional reading, bible commentaries, preacher's magazines, so using an internet source is no different than what has been done for centuries.

Why reinvent the wheel, most of what I preach is either from the already printed Bible, or commentary, or some other sermon resource, nothing much new under the sun, one must make the sermon his own though, pray, study, tell your story using another’s simple outline is like the congregation using a congregational song, if we preached our sermon as often as we sing some of these songs.

The wide-range of opinions among Nazarene pastors on whether or not to cite a source highlights the next significant finding of “appropriate use could not be defined” among Nazarene pastors.

Appropriate Use Could Not Be Defined

Nazarene pastors have a wide range of opinions relating to appropriate use of Internet sermon resources. This is a significant finding indicating little set value on the importance of sermon preparation and preaching within the Church of the Nazarene USA. The amount of information one gathers from the Internet for a sermon and whether or not sources are cited in the sermon (mentioned above) are where the greatest disagreements exist.

The Manual of the Church of the Nazarene states, “The duties of a pastor are: 413.1. To preach the Word” (Manual 185). The list goes on for twenty-five more sub-points of the responsibilities of a Nazarene senior pastor; however, preaching the Word is recognized as being the highest priority for a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. The senior pastors who responded to the questionnaire are those who are recognized by the Church of the Nazarene to have a preaching ministry. What “a preaching ministry” looks like for the Nazarene pastor, as well as the importance it has in their lives and ministry differs from pastor to pastor.

Internet Sermon Resource Use Helps the Pastor/ Helps the Congregation; Internet Sermon Resource Use Hurts the Pastor/ Hurts the Congregation

Overwhelmingly, pastors agreed that if regularly using Internet sermon resources is beneficial or detrimental to the pastor’s spiritual life, it will, in turn, have a direct effect on whether or not the sermon is beneficial or detrimental to his or her congregation’s spiritual journey. Where intense disagreement existed was in whether or not these resources are actually beneficial or detrimental to the spiritual life of the pastor and the congregation.

Pastors regularly mentioned the importance of the pastor hearing God’s voice and following God’s direction for the congregation he or she pastors. A concern mentioned by many was the belief that regularly using Internet sermon resources will lead pastors to rely more on the Internet than being sensitive to the leading of God in their lives, or in other words, “Relying totally on the Internet instead of relying on the Holy Spirit.” One pastor used himself as an example: “If I am totally reliant on someone else’s sermons, I am not really seeking God or the study of His Word to write my sermons.” Another pastor referred to such sermon practices as “second hand revelation,” which the pastor described as, “information download vs. transformation, not hearing Gods’ heart directly from the Word and specifically for his/her people.” The concern that spiritual formation is being negated was often mentioned.

Many Nazarene pastors believe using other people’s sermons instead of writing one’s own is compromising spiritual formation time. Some examples of these responses include:

I think it can hinder our growth if we are always using Internet sermons instead of doing our own study. It can cause us to become lazy.

A no brainer where is his spiritual growth coming from? It is a proven principle that he will learn more as he prepares his sermon with prayer and study.

“Strength comes through the struggle,” as one pastor stated, implying no struggle exists in simply downloading others’ sermons.

Many pastors see the regular use of Internet sermon resources as a spiritual issue: “It causes an unhealthy dependence and reliability on others rather than the Holy Spirit for inspiration.” Naturally, some were a little more adamant in their opinions:

A pastor HAS TO [original emphasis] study the Word! We CAN'T [original emphasis] neglect this vital part of our call to study the word and prayer . . . I see a detriment if a pastor is just preaching another person’s sermon week after week without any personal thoughts of his own.

Many pastors believe it develops poor study habits: “It encourages a shallow, surface, cursory appreciation and preparation process.” Though many did mention that reading other people’s sermons can be helpful and spiritually forming to whomever may read or listen to them, they also clearly articulated that they do not go to others’ sermons with the purpose of looking for illustrations or something to preach on Sunday.

These comments express the polar opposite beliefs of those who think such sermon practices are beneficial. There is clearly a discrepancy in what is defined as “appropriate use” of Internet sermon resources among Nazarene pastors.

Numerous participants believe Internet sermon resources are appropriate and beneficial to a pastor and life of the congregation. “It can provide a community of researchers who surround the pastor and challenge his or her thinking. An online sermon can teach us something about how a text is understood.” Another pastor says it offers “insight from others, broader input, and the opportunity to study and see how another pastor dealt with a passage of scripture.” Also, some of the participants see no difference in using Internet sermon resources than they do in using other sources, “If we are using them as a tool to glean information that has been researched already what is the difference than using other commentaries or study books?” One pastor accused me of being around “old-timers” for even asking such questions: “Boy am I confused! What is the difference between the Internet and any other source? I think you have been with some old-timers set solid in unchanging stone.” Another response stated, “If they [pastors] do not have an adequate library, the Internet can provide them with more resources (commentaries, multiple Bible translations, sermon sets, etc).” “Beneficial for broader theological views” is what one respondent stated as helpful to a pastor’s own spiritual growth.

Respondents mentioned their belief that Internet sermon resources can and should be devotional and spiritually forming to the pastor: “It allows him to be ministered to from the message first.” One pastor articulated clearly why Internet sermon resources are so helpful, “I am sometimes blown away by others’ ideas, I just did not catch that or see it as they do. I see it as we are all in this great ministry together, as writers, theologians, and Gospel messengers.” Having others in on the dialogue of the sermon being prepared is what many pastors believe to be the most beneficial in regards to using Internet sermon resources and why such resources are appropriate to use.

Another issue that was often mentioned was the issue of time management. Having more time to focus on other areas or issues in the church, instead of one’s preaching, is often viewed as beneficial. A pastor is “able to use his time more wisely because it (sermon preparation) takes less time.” So many important issues fall under the pastor’s responsibility that Internet sermon resources open up time, allowing pastors to focus on other areas of ministry within the church. It is the time management issue that led almost all Nazarene pastors to state why the bi-vocational pastor has different guidelines when it comes to using Internet sermon resources

Bi-vocational Pastors

Pastors on all sides of the issue in regard to the regular use of Internet sermon resources believe bi-vocational pastors should be able to use Internet sources regularly. The unilateral agreement among Nazarene pastors that Internet sermon resources are especially beneficial for bi-vocational pastors confirms that they recognize the incredible task bi-vocational pastors have of working full-time jobs in addition to pastoring churches. As I began writing this finding, it occurred to me how rare it is to find a book on preaching that has a chapter or section dedicated to preaching and the bi-vocational pastor. With all the books I have read on preaching over these last few years, I cannot recall one that offered guidance on sermon preparation to the bi-vocational pastor. The books that do briefly discuss preaching and the bi-vocational pastors are the books on church planting, all by experienced church planters.

Where do we go from here?

The findings of this study were successful in providing a foundation for future research and, hopefully, dialogue among Nazarene pastors. A concern that surfaced from this study is that many Nazarene pastors seem to have animosity and little respect for pastors who have a theology of preaching other than their own. Pastors do not appear to be in healthy and constructive dialogue with pastors who have different perspectives. Creating a place or maybe even helping create a culture within the Church of the Nazarene where one can have open and honest dialogue about important issues, such as the role of preparing and preaching sermons, is critical for the health and life of the church. My hope is that this project will help foster such dialogue.

Dr. Corey MacPherson is Director of Spiritual Development/Chaplain at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts and the founding pastor of the North Shore Church of the Nazarene in Stony Brook, New York.