This is the second episode of The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast is dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

This episode is about pulpit plagiarism. I was moved to talk about this after reading an article entitled, Is Pulpit Plagiarism On The Rise?

I am not sure if it is on the rise. But it is a real issue of contemporary preaching. On one hand, I don’t think it is as big or bad a problem as some claim. On the other hand, it is something we should take serious.

Here’s the bottom line: Don’t do it! As R.A. Williams says, “Dig your own well, so you won’t have to steal other people’s water.”

Here are sevens ways to avoid pulpit plagiarism.

1. Remember your calling.

2. Do your own work.

3. Guard your study time.

4. Write your sermon out.

5. Give credit where credit is due.

6. Don’t risk your pulpit credibility.

7. Be a voice, not an echo.

Announcements

1. Shout-out to Pastor Bruce Frank for the opportunity to speak at the Pastors’ Conference of the Southern Baptist Convention in Baltimore. It was my first Pastor’s Conference or SBC meeting. And I had a blast. God is doing great things in and through the SBC!

Read Garrett Kell’s Refelections on the 2014 SBC Pastor’s Conference

2. The 2014 EK Bailey Preaching Conference will take place July 7-10, 2014, in Dallas. Pastor Bryan Carter and the Concord Church host this great, annual meeting. You still have time to register to attend.

3. I hope to see you at the Cutting It Straight Expository Preaching Conference I will host September 24-26, 2014, at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville.

4. Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes here.

 Episode Resources

• Should We Use Someone’s Else’s Sermon? By Scott M. Gibson

• Expositional Preaching by David Helm

• On Preaching by H.B. Charles Jr.

Your Feedback

If you have an idea for a podcast episode, question to ask, or feedback from what you have read or heard, leave a message for me in the comments.

Thanks for listening. Please tell a friend.

QUESTIONS: What do you think? Do you think plagiarism is on the rise? Do you think it is a big issue? Why or why not? What’s your response to the step ways I have given to avoid pulpit plagiarism? Would you add something to the list?