Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats - Charles Spurgeon

Spurgeon saw the direction the church was taking with the Charles Finney method of emotionalism, entertaining and eye-appealing preaching. Today's churches sees the similarities of this in its emotional music during a prayer invitation, altar calls, hand raisings, light-hearted prepared jokes at the pulpit etc. There seems to be a lack of faith in this type of preacher; they don't seem to trust that the word of God is sufficient, they feel the need to dress it up to make it more efficient. To them it would seem that God is not at work through the power of the word, therefore, it is up to them to make it 'convince' people that they are saved.

It's sad to see that these preachers' main goal is to secure steady members in order that they may ensure their next rent or mortgage payment. There was a time when preachers only exposited the word of God without the added fluff.