One of our early discussions this morning in IBS Hebrews revolved around applying our almost ridiculously in-depth method of inductive Bible study we've been developing throughout seminary to "actual" ministry. That is, is it feasible to ask pastors to spend this much time with the text in order to explicate the Word to laypeople?

I think maybe yes and no.

If you're going to be a pastor, you obviously need to breathe Scripture. That takes time, but that's where the inductive method helps. The problem is that most young pastors get stuck on topical series before they know Scripture well enough to truly breathe it in these series. So, other young pastors stick with purely exegetical sermons, honing their source material down to even just half a verse. In both cases, there is a shared problem: there just isn't time to really hash Scripture out with all the other concerns of a pastor. That's partly why seminary is a great time to develop method - because you do have the time. The more time you can spend developing method now, the less time it will actually take later to come to really grasp the Word. That's not saying you can short-cut the process later, but that the basic tools are there to be used quickly and efficiently, so that actually more time can be spent with the Word and crafting the homily rather than having to spend so much initial time just figuring out the first level of meaning of any given passage.

Now, a consequent problem with this seems to be a well-worn cause and effect sequence. It seems that the longer a pastor spends time in ministry, one of two things are going to happen. Either he'll stick with method and producing quality sermons, or he'll abandon the method. The reason for abandonment, for the most part, seems to be because of the comprehension level of the congregation. Way too many congregations complain of not being able to "apply" a sermon to their "daily lives," and thus pressure is placed upon the pastor to dumb things down, to abandon possible profundities in favor of a happier congregation.

However, I've seen pastors who stick with these things. Over time they learn more and more to combine sensitivity of their congregations' needs with a complete unwillingness to compromise sound biblical teaching that will occasionally go over the heads of their congregations. The surprising result, from youth to seniors, is adaptation - comprehension levels actually rise to meet the level of spiritual instruction. The curtain is torn in two, and people actually realize that preaching and teaching isn't about feeding the ego, but about growing and stretching, letting your brain be flooded occasionally with stuff you don't understand in order to progress further toward God.

What do you think? Do you see a dumbing-down of Christians? How do pastors shoot for a balance between feeding sheep and encouraging sheep to grow?