Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you.” NLT.
FOCUS ON TEACHING SOUND DOCTRINE
I observed a trend recently, mostly online. I see preachers whose messages lack doctrinal originality. Their duty is to attack other preachers and call them out derogatorily.
Unfortunately, some young ministers of my age seem to focus on this in ministry more than teaching sound doctrine. They want to correct "fathers". They think they can build their ministry by tearing down another.
They seem not to have an original message except that which is drawn from the mistakes of the preacher next door. They spew bile and hatred pitching brethren against one another thereby causing division in the body. Something that is unlike Christ.
The justification for their error-hunting ministry is that Jesus spoke against the Pharisees so it wouldn't be a bad idea to confront those they deemed heretic. Funnily, they don't know the difference between error and heresy.
To them, anyone who doesn't agree with their interpretation of scriptures is heretic whereas, that's theologically wrong. Not all errors makes one heretic. Heresy is total deviation from basic fundamental doctrines.
There may be little error in our interpretation but that doesn't mean we are heretic. For example, Calvinism differ in interpretation of scriptures from Arminism on certain issues yet both theological positions are held by God's children from centuries past till now.
On each side of the divide are wonderful and great believers. If you have to ring the heresy bell on everyone you don't agree with, those who do not agree with you can tag you heretic as well. Hope you'll accept that label in good faith?
So what should your focus be? Your focus in ministry should be on the message the Lord has given you, the teaching of sound doctrines, properly exegeted. Hunting for mistakes of the preacher next door is not a ministry. No one has been called to 'police' the church.
You will do well to focus on teaching sound biblical doctrines to God's people. By so doing, they will grow in discerment to decipher what is right or wrong. Polemics should be about issues not persons.
"Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13 NLT)
Making another preacher the subject of your sermon is not a sign of ministerial focus. It is a sign of immaturity. That's like peeping to another man's farm yard while he was cultivating his leaving yours uncultivated. Christ nor the apostles did not teach us ministry this way.
We all will not agree on certain biblical issues till Christ comes. However, the unity of the body is paramount. Your duty is to teach sound doctrine: "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:" (Titus 2:1 KJV).
Some might ask, "Does it mean we shouldn't stand against heresy and errors"? You have to stand against heresy and correct errors by teaching the truth not by calling names and spewing bile.
Use the pulpit to preach and teach sound doctrine. That should be your focus. Raise a people that are truth-loving, by so doing, they will grow to discern errors.