Big Preachers

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     Burton Coffman is the spark plug of the big promotional scheme to raise a million dollars to erect a church building seating 500 in New York. In the November 19 issue of Firm Foundation, he gives us an insight to the current thinking of the denominational "Church of Christ." That thinking centers around big preachers, big drives, big programs and big money! Read this:

     "What would happen if these men, sometimes called 'big preachers' were to give up their positions and go to some weak and distant post to establish the work? Who would replace them? . . . Few people realize what a load rests upon the shoulders of a man preaching for a big congregation. The congregation is often in large measure the result of his excellent talents and consecration in the work of the Lord. The large congrega-

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tion is not built up in the first place nor does it long continue without the ability and energies of a man in the pulpit who is truly 'big' enough to lead them into ever greater and greater paths of usefulness in the Master's service."

     I doubt that Burton needs to worry about the big preachers going to some weak and distant post. There is only one thing that would move them, and that's a big raise in salary. Take the lucre out of religion and you'll soon be looking tor a replacement. But the above statement is a forthright admission that the big churches are built around a clergyman rather than the Christ. The pulpit, un- known in the primitive congregation of saints, is a stage for the dramatic performance of a trained professional. When the entertainment ceases and the show ends its run, the congregation "does not long continue." The attendants do not want to watch a stage-hand or a second-rate performer.

     "Then, may we keep these big men where they belong and where they are doing so much good stoking the furnace of the great powerhouses supplying the energy for so much of the church's mission work today."

     If you interpret this clerical terminology, you'll find Bro. Coffman is really talking about raising money! "Stoking the furnace" means turning on the heat in a big financial drive like "Million for Manhattan." "The great powerhouses" are congregations made up of oil magnates and cattle barons. "Supplying the energy" is pledging a fist full of greenbacks to help a huge promotional scheme. The clergy always employs double-talk and gobbledygook Look that up in your dictionary! What they mean is more money! Bro. Coffman identifies a bunch of big preachers.

     "Men like John Banister, Cleon Lyles, Batsell Baxter, George Stephenson, George Bailey, Clifton Rogers, Leroy Brownlow, Clyde Hale, John Smithson, Melvin Wise, Ralph Russell, Harrison Matthews, Paul McClung, Ray Chester...their name is Legion."

     You'll recall that this was also the name of the demons which entered the two thousand hogs, and these were stampeded into a big drive, and ran violently down the steep slope into the sea. They also made a big splash!