A few days ago I received a letter from a fellow preacher in another state who lamented that there were no preachers’ meetings in the area where he lives that are worth attending. His comments are readily understandable since the same condition exists in Central Florida. Why is that? Times have changed. Evangelists used to gather to discuss the Bible. Such arrangements have fallen by the wayside.
My experience is only anecdotal; so perhaps others would like to comment on the subject. Back in the ’70s I occasionally enjoyed meeting with other preachers in the Pittsburgh area. As a young preacher, I received many good suggestions, as well as hearing good lessons presented. When I moved to Iowa, a group was meeting, but it disbanded shortly thereafter. I began one in our church building, and it continued for several years after I left. We discussed a number of issues and topics.
I moved to Indiana in 1991 and attended a meeting about an hour away, but it ceased after one year. I started one at our church building, and it is still meeting there 25 years later. I still enjoy attending them when we visit. No rules or bylaws existed then or since. Preachers just meet to discuss passages of Scripture, things occurring in religion, or even problems that might exist. Any of the men can bring up any topic, and even though occasional disagreements occur, everyone knows that all are trying to advance the kingdom here on earth.
But the atmosphere was different when we moved to Denton. First of all, I was not invited to the meeting even though they met in town. After a few years, one man asked me to attend on the occasion of his speaking. The meeting was conducted by liberals; two of the “leaders” were elders at the congregation that had Leroy Garrett teaching Bible classes. (For those unaware, he and Carl Ketcherside were the forerunners of Rubel Shelly and Max Lucado.) One of the “preachers” had close ties to Pepperdine. They quickly let it be known that they were a conservative group (gag!) and that they wanted no controversy. That was the last meeting I attended. The Fort Worth meetings eventually invited a false teacher to attend and participate. Many no longer felt comfortable there.
In Central Florida, I attended a preachers’ luncheon the very first year I moved here. It was made clear that no Scriptures were ever discussed. Instead the men talked about what works were being done in the area. At that time the main topic was the upcoming Spiritual Growth Workshop, hosted by and for liberals. I have not been back since. What would be the point?