Make no mistake about it, there is a famine of “old fashioned” pastors. Even with casual observance, it does not take long to surmise the devastating impact this has made upon our society as a whole and our world in general. I suppose the term “old fashioned” is relative to what one deems as “old fashioned” by their heritage and experience. If we use the objective Word of God as the standard, then we can certainly expound what “old fashioned” was, is and what it should be forth going. This post seeks to prod your thinking about this important issue. Borrowing a common phrase of our sitting President, Mr. Obama, “Let’s be clear”, every pastor should seek to be “OLD FASHIONED“!Take A Look Around You
Wherever you hang your hat you will find compromising pastors. They may walk with God, and be moral people, but when it comes to preaching it straight, they take the long way around the barn. To “tip toe through the tulips” with God’s Word is to compromise. Many stick their finger to the wind to find out which way the wind is blowing, as it were, in order to know what to preach. Face it, two thirds of the time a pastor’s message is going to be considered negative according to the flesh. (Jeremiah 1:10 & 2 Timothy 4:2)
(2 Timothy 2:15) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV)
Paul said to “rightly divide” the Word. That phrase means to cut straight. When you cut it straight, you will offend people; not that that is what we want to do. Pastors who rightly divide God’s Holy Word will feed the sheep and have God’s blessing. They may not have the high attendance, and huge offerings that other churches have, but they will be a New Testament church.
Christians Are Constantly Moving The Proverbial Landmarks
(Proverbs 22:28) “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” (KJV)
Man is always trying to improve on what God has said, done or provided. No matter what is spelled out in Scripture, people will seek to do it their own way. In the modern era, we have seen many pastors move the boundaries in many aspects of ministry. One example is this new “seeker sensitive” and “purpose driven” philosophical dogma. It is counterproductive and most do not see this. Paul said to preach the Word. (2 Timothy 4:2) “Old fashioned” pastors do this very thing! Think about it… why should we bow down to every new whim that some author comes up with?
Many pastors would never claim to be a gnostic in their statement of faith, but they sure operate under it’s influence while they seek to promote “their new way of doing things” (i.e. Higher knowledge). When we exalt man and his ideology, we undermine the foundation on which we historically lay. With each generation of pastors that comes along under the influence of men who have moved the markers we get further away from “old fashioned” preaching and ministry.
Are You Ashamed To Be Called “Old Fashioned”?
(Romans 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (KJV)
Many pastors want folks to think that they are educated and refined. Seeking to fit into the politically correct mold of the modern day mainstream church, pastors have drunk the “kool-aid” of liberalism. They have sought to distance themselves from so-called “old fashioned” pastors. They think these godly people are ignorant and beneath them. The mannerisms, style of preaching, clothing, and age of many “old fashioned” pastors is looked upon with disdain.
If you are a pastor who is tired of fitting into some sort of man-made mold, then “MAN UP“, as they say! Throw off the modernistic philosophy and stick with God’s Word. You may not be liked by everybody, but they will respect you. People know a phony when they see it. Be real and be “old fashioned” according to the BIBLE!
Conclusion
The world does not need another form of counterfeit religiosity. It needs the truth! “‘Thus sayeth the LORD” will get the job done. To be an “old fashioned” pastor does not mean you have to be uneducated and ignorant, nor does it mean you have to use improper grammar and preach like your pants are on fire. It does mean that you are passionate about the Word of God and you give 1,000% when you minister for the Lord! It means that you are seeking to please God and not man! “Old fashioned” pastors do not care what the world thinks and they do not concern themselves with being politically correct. One thing matters… GOD’S APPROVAL!
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