How sad. I just recently read a book by him called "Escape from Church, Inc." Even though the book was a little disappointing, it was a step in the right direction. It is sad to see though he got caught up in the professionalism of the ministry that he abhored. It's especially sad because Calvary Chapel is quite a large Church here in Charlotte.

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Jimmy H

Just to clarify, it seems that it's a Calvary Church and not a Calvary Chapel. There is a difference. I grew up in a Calvary Church and later went to a Calvary Chapel.

This is a pretty sad story but I appreciate the pastor's honesty and humility. It would probably be very helpful to the Body of Christ at large if a lot more pastors who are dealing with similar struggles got real and just admitted it.

But I haven't walked in their shoes and it's easy to say that from this end. They probably realize that doing so could really destroy some families and people's faith. So they probably just keep quiet, hoping that God will bring them through the drought and they can kind of hide it from the people in the meantime. THey probably have the people's best interest in mind and have good intentions of keeping quiet. A very sad situation.

I know this is a serious topic and I don't mean to be frivolous but there is a saying that plagiarism is when you steal ideas from another person; but if you steal from two it is research!

There's a story (somewhat scrambled in my mind) of an occasion during one of Spurgeon's periodic bouts of depression. He once described himself as one of those whom 'melancholy had marked for her own' [Grey's Elegy]. On his occasion he was holidaying in Scotland and visited a small baptist church. He sat at the rear and the preacher did not recognise him until the farewells at the door. Spurgeon shook his hand warmly and thanked him for his preaching. The young pastor blushed and said "Mr Spurgeon you must know where that sermon came from. It is one of your own." Spurgeon said "I know, but it was a peculiar blessing of God to bring back to me bread that I had cast upon the water at such a time as this".

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Ron Bailey

I agree this sounds quite sad,not knowing the full story its hard to pass comment.I will say though,Many things or ilistrations or allegories that i've heard, I have used,not to copy, but to enhance my sermon.Iron sharpens iron,and things said by another can be exactly what your'e thinking.I have often said "Yes thats right,thats what i need to say" after reading a thread on this site or hearing someone speak,whic has unlocked a thing.Maybe this brother was quoting word for word,thats different
Ecc 1 v 10 Is there anything wherof it may be said,see,this is new? It hath been already of old time,which was before us. :-)

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derek Eyre

I agree with Delboy. After all, if the messagbe from a brother minister comes from the Spirit, then it is for all the people. The line is drawn, however, when a large portion of the sermon is delivered word for word. The best way to avoid plagerism, even for a small part of the sermon, is to acknowledge the source. When you use someone elses words and claim them as your own that is being dishonest. Trust the Spirit to give you the words.

Ed

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Ed Price

Plagiarism...not to make light, but,

1. Vance Havner said-"A young preacher determined in his first church to be original or nothing and found out he was both!!"

2. I wish the preacher at the church I attend would engage in plagiarism and preach some of the great sermons found here than have to listen to the drivel I get week to week.

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Mike Balog