How serious of an issue is sermon plagiarism?

Response

Plagiarism in any form is always a significant concern, especially for a pastor. Sermon plagiarism, which involves presenting all or part of someone else’s sermon as one’s own, is a genuine temptation in this digital age where numerous sermons are readily available online. However, engaging in plagiarism during sermon preparation goes against the standards set for a pastor/elder in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, where a pastor is expected to be beyond reproach. Additionally, consider 2 Timothy 2:15, which emphasizes the pastor’s responsibility to accurately handle the word of truth. A pastor is required to demonstrate deep integrity and truthfulness both as a preacher and teacher of God’s Word and in all aspects of life. Plagiarism constitutes theft of intellectual property, and such deceitfulness poses a significant problem in pastoral ministry.

What qualifies as sermon plagiarism? Undoubtedly, delivering a sermon from another pastor almost word for word without crediting the original author amounts to plagiarism. Whether the preacher explicitly claims ownership of the borrowed sermon or implicitly suggests it as his own, it still constitutes plagiarism. When incorporating the essence of a sermon, following its key points or structure, or quoting a cleverly crafted phrase, proper attribution should be given to avoid plagiarism.

If it comes to light that a pastor has knowingly plagiarized a sermon, the church leadership must initiate the process of loving church discipline outlined in Matthew 18. As part of the restoration process, the pastor should confess to the congregation because he has not only sinned against them but also deceived them. If the offense falls short of verbatim plagiarism, the leadership should handle the situation with greater care. For example, if the sermon was borrowed in a manner that does not constitute exact plagiarism, the leadership should address the issue cautiously.

On the occasion when points from another sermon are used without proper credit, even if the pastor is clearly developing his own thoughts based on those points, the issue still requires attention. However, the leadership should approach church discipline cautiously.

Sermon plagiarism may be a greater temptation for individuals who are not dedicated to putting in the effort of thorough study and original preparation consistently. In such instances, addressing the issue of diligence in study is as important as addressing the problem of plagiarism.

Pastors often have preferred commentators whom they refer to during sermon preparation. If a pastor consistently cites or quotes a specific commentator or another preacher, the congregation should be informed. When sermon content is derived from another source, proper citation is essential.

Preachers build upon the insights of those who came before them, and ultimately, they build upon the Word of God. Considering the multitude of sermons crafted throughout history, there are hardly any entirely original ideas. Charles Spurgeon, arguably the most eminent English-speaking preacher, once stated, “All originality and no plagiarism makes for dull preaching.” Spurgeon’s intention was to emphasize the importance of being well-read and well-versed in sermon preparation, rather than advocating for the appropriation of others’ words as one’s own. A pastor should be encouraged to engage with the works of others to ensure alignment with esteemed thinkers. It is acceptable for him to incorporate others’ ideas into his sermons to enrich his messages. However, he must uphold his integrity in the pulpit, and when heavily relying on others’ thoughts, he should gratefully and openly acknowledge them.