We are sick, and the pulpits are largely at fault. It is certainly not because we lack great pulpiteers, personalities and promoters. What, then, is the root problem? Or, like the old commercial of a national fast food franchise, “Where’s the beef?”
Pastors must get back to putting the call to make disciples and teach the people “all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20) ahead of church as usual. Preach the unvarnished Word of God rather than telling stories salted with a few Scriptures. Will it empty some pews? Undoubtedly. Will it make you more popular and a pop icon? Most likely not. Will it restore the power of God to the church and bring healing to our land? It always has.
We are at a point where thousands of pastors across America must take the challenge, honestly assess whether we are accepting the full mandate in every area shown above and providing the “offensive” leadership that the church so desperately needs. The cost of not doing so can already be measured in broken lives and a weak nation. (Dave Welch)
Are pulpits at fault for America’s present dilemma? Yes.
Do I agree with the analysis by Dave Welch? No, absolutely not.
What’s my suggestion? Burn the pulpits. Sell the churches. Give the money to charity. Start a reformation. Begin anew.
Larry Who 
Dallas Willard has written an interesting book called “The Great Omission”, which is a play on words from the Great Commission.
He says we’ve concentrated all our time on the first two: making disciples and baptizing them in the Trinity’s name. But we fall down on the crucial third… teaching them to obey everything He has commanded us.
I guess if all Christians actually lived a life in Christ, we wouldn’t have to burn the pulpits.
Philippa,
What I wrote about selling the churches and giving the money to charity is scriptural (Luke 12:33).
And allow me some latitude in saying the following: burning the pulpits would be a lot like burning books of magic (Acts 19:19). After all, aren’t pastors’ sermons supposed to work like magic in our lives, changing us from babes into mature Christians who can heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons?
Oh yes, let’s burn the pews along with the pulpits.
You might like a book called Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, by Francis Chan. He has actually done that stuff (not burning pews, but selling his house and “giving to all as they had need).
Phippa,
George Barna of the Barna Group stated that in less than 20 years only 1/3 of Christians will attend churches with pews and pulpits. Instead, they will meet in homes around tables, in businesses and at places like Starbucks.
Barna and Frank Viola wrote a best-selling book together called “Pagan Christianity” which states where our modern pews and pulpits have their origination. Not scripture.
The pulpits have been fueled by the pews. Just as Israel told Moses ‘you go talk to God and then tell us,what He said,Lest We Die’. People want to go somewhere that looks successful.There are ministers[and I know many] who work to support the ministry.While christians run to big churchs in other towns,because of appearances.So a hand full support and do all the work inside the church as well as any out reach.No wonder many have given up. cheryl
Sadly, most Christians are like the Israelites, “We want a king.”