Stephen Rowland: Recycled sermons raise question of ethics
Not long ago, I had the strangest experience listening to a Sunday morning sermon in church.
The message was interesting and professionally delivered; but a nagging doubt kept bugging me. It was as though that very polished message seemed “borrowed” from someone else; it didn’t seem to correspond well with the preacher’s personality and personal experience.
When I got home, I Google-searched a certain phrase that was reinforced all throughout that message. That phrase was the main point in another pastor’s sermon online. I listened to his sermon out of curiosity; that’s when a sense of shock set in. It was identical to the one I had just heard in church. I don’t simply mean a few main points corresponded. I’m talking every scripture used; every point; every practical example; even the jokes — all of it was identical.
It certainly wasn’t the first time I had encountered plagiarism. We all have seen children copy other kid’s papers in school; there are unfortunately even websites devoted to selling term papers to college students for set prices. It’s just that I couldn’t imagine it happening in church, of all places. Stealing is stealing no matter how professionally you package it — even if it seems to benefit the audience.
I had no idea how common this was until I researched it online. There are several websites, sermoncentral.com being a prominent one, offering entire sermons for pastors to “utilize.” When that sermon is committed to memory and professionally delivered to the congregation, everyone assumes their pastor has prayed, sought God’s guidance, and studied their Bibles and academic resources to come up with that message for them personally. Apparently, a good many stressed out pastors with too many time commitments are taking the easy way out and parroting other ministers occasionally.
I well understand that there are occasions when a pastor is temporarily overcommitted with weddings, funerals, counseling the bereaved, being sick or depressed, etc. That’s when they should invite an associate pastor to preach that Sunday, or at least inform the congregation that another minister’s outline is being followed that Sunday due to extenuating circumstances. As long as proper attribution is made, I don’t think a congregation would lose any trust in their pastor. It’s a different story when the “copy and paste” method is used often without attribution leaving the congregation under the impression that these wonderful sermons are being constructed by their own pastor.
I arranged a private meeting with the pastor who had delivered that “borrowed” sermon.Upon furthering probing, I discovered the other minister had given him permission to use his material without attribution.
My problem with that “method” is twofold: 1. Even with permission, it still leaves the congregation with the false impression that those sermons are genuinely authentic — constructed by their pastor. Little do they realize their pastor is “acting.” 2. It short circuits the method that God uses to spiritually lead and grow the pastor himself. I Pastors are supposed to pray for guidance, study, then learn to follow that leading in their hearts to construct a message appropriate and suitable for that specific congregation.
I contacted a pastor from another large successful church in town to explain what I had discovered and to get someone else’s insight to make sure I wasn’t misinterpreting anything or overreacting. He explained that the same had happened with a previous pastor at the church, who was ultimately fired. He lamented the fact that so many ministers now are succumbing to the temptation to search online for their sermons instead of looking for guidance from God.
I’m a bit old fashioned. When writing an article for The Daily Herald or constructing a devotional message for the Knights For Christ, my first impulse is not to scour the internet for something “really good.”
I pray about it and follow the passion in my heart.
I think my readers and listeners desire authenticity. I expect no less from my pastor, which is why I’m searching for another church to attend. Ethics still matter.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Stephen Rowland: Recycled sermons raise question of ethics
