Brother John was a powerful preacher. He was handsome, funny, and personable. What else? He played the trumpet. Oh, and his wife was gorgeous. (In the late 1980s, I had him for revival at FBC Charlotte, NC. John and wife were a delight in every way.)
Soon Dr. Bisagno was on the program of every pastors’ conference and evangelism conference around the country. And he was wonderful. He connected with the audiences and was a stem-winder. A powerful and eloquent preacher. Crowds raved.
I remember the day John was followed on the program by Dr. Ken Chafin, who at the time headed our denomination’s evangelism ministry through the North American Mission Board. Dr. Chafin was no slouch in the preaching/communication department, but not in the same league as Bisagno. As he began his message, the buzz from Bisagno’s appearance still lingered in the air. So, Dr. Chafin addressed that.
“You fellows in Mississippi love Johnny Bisagno,” he said. “But let me ask you a question. How would you like it if he were pastoring in your hometown? You’ve been telling people for years churches can’t have revival any more. That people just don’t respond to the gospel like they used to. And then, this preacher shows up and starts winning thousands to the Lord and packing them in to the rafters. How would you like that?”
Chafin said, “You love him because he comes to your convention and delivers this rousing message, then gets on the plane and flies back to Texas. And you don’t have to compete with his great success.”
As things happened, within a year or two, Dr. Chafin himself became pastor of South Main Baptist Church in Houston, the same city as Bisagno. The two churches were vastly different and the preaching styles of these two men as unlike as it’s possible to get. As far as I know there was never any competition or ill will between them. But Chafin had made a great point.
What if that happens in your town? What if the young Apollos arrives and begins pulling in the crowds and charming the city and buying air time on the television station? What if you begin noticing some of your people missing from their pews, and soon your office receives letters asking that their membership be transferred over to Apollos’ church?
How would you feel? What would you do? How would you handle it?
Scripture addresses the subject of another pastor:
The church members at Corinth began choosing their favorites. Some said, “I prefer Paul.” Others, “It’s Apollos for me!” And still others, “Cephas (Peter) is my man!”
And, some in the congregation stuck their noses in the air and said, “We’re of Jesus’ party!”
One was as bad as the other.
