Pulpit language

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Greetings in Jesus' name to all!

     I have found the discussion about pulpit language very interesting 
indeed. I have been a pastor and Bible School teacher for over 20 
years and I have discovered a few things that may prove helpful to 
the discussion. I am also an elementary school teacher and teach 
French as a second language so this touches me professionally on more 
than one front.
     I have found that words have different meanings in different 
areas of the country.  As an example, I had been preaching for probably five 
years in Canada (I am a Canadian) before I discovered that not all 
Americans were "Yanks". Some find being called a "Yank" or Yankee" 
quite offensive. Many Canadians I know refer to ALL USA citizens as 
"yanks" and mean nothing offensive.However, once I found that out, I never 
again used the word from the pulpit because I had no wish to offend 
unnecessarily. To a French person, the word "tabernacle" is a swear 
word so when preaching to French people within their culture, I use 
the word temple or church which does not have such an offensive 
connotation to them. Most American preachers familiar with Canadian 
audiences do not use words such as "booger" here. Canadians tend to find 
words such as these VERY offensive. I am sure the same is true in the 
States. Since there is a cultural component and some negative 
connotation attached to such words such as "faggot", I personally 
would never use these words but I offer no judgement or censure of 
those that do within their own sub cultures.
     It is the responsibility of any preacher to know his people and 
use the words he preaches in the most skilful way he can to reach a particular 
audience - and every audience is different. 
     Because our speech is to be holy, the preacher needs to be an 
example of correct speech.  Thus, it is generally felt to be unwise 
to use the vernacular or slang form the pulpit unless one knows his  
audience very well.
     Trust these few observations help the discussion
Dave
dward@fort-frances.lakeheadu.ca