"When the congregation becomes the norm by which sermons are measured, a minister has put a mortgage on his soul"

This quote by Ralph W. Sockman is a cautioning to ministers about the risks of enabling the congregation to dictate the material of their sermons. He recommends that when a minister permits the congregation to end up being the standard by which their preachings are evaluated, they are essentially mortgaging their soul. This means that they are compromising their own beliefs and convictions in order to please the parish. This can lead to a minister ending up being a puppet of the parish, instead of a leader of spiritual assistance. It is important for ministers to keep in mind that their preachings should be based on their own beliefs and convictions, and not on what the congregation wants to hear.