Word for word

Religion: More and more pastors lift entire sermons off the internet—but is the practice always wrong? | Gene Edward Veith

Glenn Wagner was a successful mega-church pastor in Charlotte, N.C., until one of his elders heard a sermon on the radio that was identical to one he had heard from the pulpit. Mr. Wagner confessed that he had been preaching other people’s sermons off and on for two years, including some he broadcast on Christian radio. He resigned from his ministry last fall.

A similar case occurred after members of the National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C., found on the internet sermons that Alvin O’Neal, moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a celebrated preacher in that denomination, had preached. Mr. O’Neal apologized for his actions and remains in his ministry.

A number of lesser-known ministers across the country have also been caught stealing sermons. Sometimes it makes the newspapers, but other times congregations or denominations handle the matter quietly.