Introduction

Hello friend, and welcome to my blog. I’m guessing I owe the pleasure of your 
visit to our mutual connection to the Apostolic church. If not, much of what I say may not make much sense to you, but I hope you will enjoy my writing and take from it what you will. If so, the goal of my writing is to challenge you to think more critically about the messages preached to you on a weekly basis.

Now you may be thinking, “why Cordelia, whatever do you mean ‘think more critically?’ What my pastor says is a message straight from God and I’m not about to criticize it thank you.” Well, firstly, as much as I wish my name was Cordelia, it’s Ramona. And secondly no, it’s not. At least, if it is indeed a message from God, I assure you it can stand up to both your criticism and mine. However, I feel that more often than not, the sermons you hear are simply the preacher’s thoughts and opinions. Much like this blog, or any other form of social commentary. Would you ever take a speech made by a political figure or celebrity at face value, without thinking about it for yourself? I certainly hope not. Your pastor is a human being and capable of mistakes, as I’m sure he will freely tell you. However, a mistake taken as a word from God could have serious consequences the doer of, don’t you think?

                                           This is a real sermon title & movie by Rev. Estus Pirkle.

In this blog, I plan to transcribe sermons I hear on a weekly basis from different apostolic preachers. I will be critiquing them based not only on the validity of their message, but also on how well the sermon is constructed. As with any writing, it’s important to be as clear and concise as possible. If your sermon would make your fourth grade English teacher roll their eyes, you should take some time to consider the level of respect you have for your audience. This is not to say that an uneducated man cannot preach, but I have yet to meet an under educated apostolic preacher. Also, I’ve noticed that for apostolic preachers, it’s a particular pet peeve for other “Christians” to use scriptures out of context. I would be doing them a disservice not to throw their hypocrisy in their face every time they make this mistake. I will be watching for scriptures used out of context like a fan waiting to catch a foul bat.

                                           

Please do not think that I disrespect all preachers, or that my aim is to attack those simply going about their business. My adolescence was formed around the Apostolic church, and some of the people therein have helped me through the darkest times of my youth. Going to church is something that I still love to do, despite no longer considering myself part. But I can no longer blindly agree with a church sermon, but must give it the due mental process I give everything else I consume. I feel that no man should tell another what God has to say unless he’s ready to defend it.

While there are few preachers whom I still respect, I am always open to the prospect of finding more. I have heard some true masterpiece sermons in my life, and I hope to hear many more such and discuss them here. I am always, always open to any kind of theological debate. I truly want to know what you think, and I covet your feedback.

                                                        Regards,