Preaching Should Be the Centerpiece of Worship, Says Pastor

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In this opinion piece, Pastor Gordan Runyan of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari, New Mexico, argues that preaching should be the centerpiece of Christian worship, not rituals or symbols like the Ark of the Covenant. He cites the prophet Jeremiah's prophecy that pastors who faithfully teach the Bible would replace the significance of the Ark, and claims that too many modern churches lack such impactful preaching.

Why it matters

Runyan's perspective touches on longstanding debates within Christianity about the relative importance of preaching versus other forms of worship and religious practice. His views challenge the notion that elaborate rituals or sacred objects should be the focus, instead emphasizing the transformative power of biblical teaching and instruction.

The details

Runyan draws a historical parallel between the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament and the role he believes preaching should play in the modern church. He argues that after the Ark was lost, the prophet Jeremiah prophesied that pastors who could effectively teach the Bible would emerge, making the physical Ark irrelevant. Runyan claims that too many contemporary churches lack these kinds of impactful preachers, leaving congregants spiritually unfed.

• Runyan's article was published on March 18, 2026.

What they’re saying