Does "Ichabod" describe the basic condition of the Independent Baptist movement? Has the glory departed? This is not to ask if "the glory" has departed from all Independent Baptist churches, but if, in general, "the glory" is gone from most. Most are still doctrinally sound but spiritually dead, and I lay the bulk of the blame on the preachers, not the people.

Consider my most recent experiences. While travelling to preach in North Carolina, I stopped at an Independent Baptist church (the only kind of church I ever attend) east of Atlanta on a Sunday evening. The people were treated to a good thirty-minute song service followed by an anemic fifteen- minute message from their pastor, whose entire message consisted of one verse, three points, and a two-stanza invitation. The only verse read was at the beginning of the message, was never referred to again, and no supporting verses were ever quoted or referred to. No wonder the auditorium was only one-third full. Sheep go to where there is something to eat, not the desert. This forty-five minute service allowed me to get back on the road quickly, but left me totally disappointed and still hungering for some spiritual food.

Last year, on my way to preach at a Bible college in Indiana, we stopped at a church in Southern Indiana-only to have an almost identical experience. Forty-five minutes after the service started we were back on the road, again amazed that the twenty locals who attended the service that night had even bothered to show up if that was all the Pastor could feed them on Sunday nights. Earlier this year, after Sunday morning services, I left for a much needed vacation. On Sunday night we stopped for church in Southern Alabama where a missionary to Mexico was their featured guest. I thought that finally we would be in for a good service. The song service was good enough. The missionary presented his work with a good slide presentation. To my surprise and disappointment, when the slides ended (no preaching had taken place, nor any Bible read) the pastor called for an invitation and dismissed the service in prayer. WHAT IS GOING ON?

On Wednesday night we attended services near Clearwater, FL. After four songs and announcements, the pastor read one verse (I Thes. 4:18), spoke for ten minutes, and dismissed the service. I have spoken with some of the fourteen missionary families out of our Church. They have attended hundreds of independent Baptist churches on deputation. Unfortunately, they affirm that this is the NORM-not the exception.

Paul wrote, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" We have churches whose pastors know nothing of any "necessity to preach"! Jeremiah tried to quit preaching (20:9) but he cried, "His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." These pastors should either repent of their sorry service, or quit and let someone take over who is really called and will fulfill the Biblical command to PREACH.

Paul admonished Timothy, "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:1,2).

Some excuse their disobedience by piously proclaiming, "Well, I have a teaching ministry." Let me remind you that Paul went on to warn in this same passage to Timothy (3), "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." Although teaching is a necessary part of the ministry of a New Testament church, when the emphasis is on "teaching" instead of "preaching" it actually leads people away from "sound doctrine."

The truth is, if the pastor is PREACHING according to the instructions of the

Holy Spirit -- reproving, rebuking, and exhorting with longsuffering and doctrine -- the people WILL be taught.

ICHABOD is at epidemic proportions upon our churches. However, it has not been brought in by the people. Rather, it has been spread by backslidden, lazy, cowardly pastors. God cursed the pastors of Jeremiah's day for their unfaithfulness to the Word of God. 'Therefore, the nation which hung in the balance fell. Unless God's men repent, the same will happen to us.

Dr. Mike Allison,
Madison Baptist Church, Madison Al.

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