It’s Time for Backbone (An Open Letter to Preachers)

This morning I watched a YouTube video in which Todd Friel (Wretched Radio) declared: “The problem with today’s preachers; nobody wants to kill them.” His point was that the reason preachers from centuries ago were imprisonned or killed was their determination to preach truth regardless the culture’s feelings. Too often our modern preachers and pastors are afraid of offending.

It is with that sentiment that I penned the following open letter. We need to love desperately, but without compromising our message.


Dear Fellow Preachers,

Now’s the time – it’s actually past time – for some honest-to-goodness, strong-as-steel, George S. Patton and John Wayne-like BACKBONE!

I don’t care if you’re Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Nazarene, Methodist, or whatever…MAN UP!! Stand in the gap! Quit being a politically motivated, crowd-pleasing, purse string-tying wimp and PREACH THE WORD!

Seriously, check out what’s going on in the world and what’s coming to America. Gentlemen, more than ever what we need now are some Elijahs, some John the Baptists, some more John Knoxs, some old-school Billy Grahams, some D. L. Moodys, etc. We need more men of God who know the difference between the Word of God and a motivational speech!

Don’t try to be popular. Don’t try to be “cool” and “hip” with the younger generations. Quit fighting over the styles of worship if your congregation doesn’t even know HOW to worship! Forget trying to become more “seeker-friendly,” and just SEEK THE LOST! The world is going to Hell and we are greasing the skids.

Be real. Be humble. Be yourself. Love your enemies. But for the love of God, pastors and preachers, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). In other words, take off the liberal mom jeans and put on some prophet-worthy overalls and get to work!

You’ve got the pulpit, so use it! PREACH!

bible

21 Comments

Filed under ministry, Preaching

21 responses to “It’s Time for Backbone (An Open Letter to Preachers)

  1. Tough words that are really needed. Going to share this post with the pastor of the church we are attending. Fortunately, he is the kind of preacher you are encouraging all to be.

  2. Way too much social gospels and ‘feel good’ messages being touted from behind the pulpits. From the beginning, sin separated us from God and it’s the same today. Jesus is at the forefront and sadly, Jesus will offend many just as he did when walking this earth. Our offense should not be in what we tell others, but in how they see the difference via our conduct and love toward others. Jesus, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

  3. Reblogged this on Hard Times Ministries and commented:
    Tough words that are really needed. Going to share this post with the pastor of the church we are attending. Fortunately, he is the kind of preacher you are encouraging all to be.

  4. Cliff Rhodenizer

    Amen Brother Anthony!

  5. Spot on Anthony! I know you are doing your part….and I am trying to do my part, leaning and relying on the Holy Spirit…. Inspired challenge to us all. Think I’ll share this on my FB page!

  6. AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

    Your congregation is Blessed, Pastor.
    Our Pastor preaches the Word of God Powerfully and Boldly, so we are also Blessed.

    Going to share on fb and Twitter.

  7. Love it… John Wayne backbone! Perfect! ☺️ It’s time for all Christians to speak courageously. Excellent post!!

  8. Ken

    I really love this post! This is sooooooo ….true. To many have eft the truth behind for the sake of saving themselves from being rejected for preaching the hard message.👍😊😇 SHALOM

  9. Ken

    Started blogging 3 months ago…now just getting around to reading others. Like your style.
    I post like yours, but alittle twist.

  10. Re posted this on my site. Great Post!

  11. Very strong words but there is definitely truth here! Thank you for sharing! If you’re interested I guest posting we would love to have you on DailyPS.com. Check it out!

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