Pulpit Language

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In a message dated 96-09-07 23:53:38 EDT, mitch05@midwest.net (Mitch Cooper)
writes:

<< I think that we should consider whos doing the preaching, were there
 background is from and what they have to face.  As we know, the people that
 this whole conversation is about, are soul winners.  The bible says "He
 that winneth souls is wise".  I personally dont think that these men of God
 would mount the pulpit and say anything without wisdom.  As for me, when I
 preach, I dont make it a habit of using those terms, because that is not my
 style of preaching.  Bro. Arnolds background is from broklyn and there
 vocabularly is quite full of these slang terms, but hes winning souls and
 that is what is important. >>

Let me make a few points here.  1) Again, as the author of the original note
in this thread, my comments were not directed at Jeff Arnold.  I've heard
numerous ministers use "street language," as you call it.  My comments are
about preachers AND teachers in general.  2) The fact that a person is a
soul-winner does not give him license to violate the Scriptural command to
season his speech with grace.  Conversely, the fact that a person has a
shortcoming in this area does not take away his place as a great warrior in
the Kingdom of God in all other respects.  In other words, I would never seek
to detract from a person as a good preacher and worker for the Kingdom based
on a shortcoming in the "speech" area.  3) A person could no doubt be a
soul-winner and even use the most vile R-rated words possible behind the
pulpit.  But being a soul-winner does not justify this.  4) A person's
background does not give him the right to violate the sacredness of the
pulpit.  5) Ready for me to get even more controversial?  I don't think a
minister or teacher should even use the "shoot, darn, gee, or heck" words.
 In fact, maybe it would be good for EVERY Christian to eliminate these
"Christian cuss words" from their vocabularies

Just my four cents' worth (Inflation forbids me giving just two cents'
worth).

--Rich Brown