MegaChurch Pastor Back to Preaching After Serious Vocal Chord Surgery

A Jacksonville pastor is back in the pulpit after doctors told him he could have lost his voice forever.

Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr., pastor at The Bethel Church, had a number of surgeries to remove a polyp from his vocal cord.

Ten years ago, McKissick had surgery that paralyzed one of his vocal cords. Years later, doctors found scarring on his other vocal cord.

The surgeries could have left McKissick without a voice, but two months after surgeries, McKissick is back to preaching.

"Today was the first Sunday and it was jam-packed. You could tell they were listening and I think they appreciate the teaching more than the styling," McKissick said of Sunday’s service at the Florida megachurch.

McKissick had been known for his dynamic teaching style while behind the pulpit, but, under doctor’s orders, McKissick said he’s taking it easy on his vocal cords.

"Having to change my style because of the severe scarring is going to be more of a teaching, well delivery-wise. I’ve always been a teacher. I think because of the style, you’re going to see a difference in the church, as far as even those who come to be a part of it, " he said.

"It’s going to be tough because I’m used to going hard in the paint, so to speak. To preserve my voice and because of the scarring, I’m going to have to become almost conversational in my preaching and teaching, which will be OK," McKissick said. 

He called his new preaching style “God-ordained.”

"It was doctor-ordered, but being a preacher, I will also say that it was God-ordained," he said. "It is just wise. If I push too hard, I could lose my voice forever. I think I have got too much left to say."

Publication Date: August 3, 2018

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