Sharp but True.

Posted by Jason C. Helveston on March 12, 2009

A preacher and words go together like a carpenter and a hammer.  The very thing a carpenter uses to construct great beauty, if misused can really hurt his thumb.  In the same way a preacher has the opportunity to use words to promote the beauty of the gospel, but if misused can lead a flock astray. A preacher is therefore bound by his divine calling to select vocabulary that is fitting for the position and communicate the truth of Scripture

Recently, the discussion of the preacher’s words has gained momentum through prominent extremes.  Many well-known orators have begun to push the envelope as it were and introduce suggestive, lascivious, crude, and direct language to the pulpit.  The question that is continually asked is, how far is too far?  Additionally, we will approach here whether or not the average church preacher has a variant standard from those in more popular pulpits.

Some have described the vogue movement of sly talk in churches to be the “pornification of the pulpit.”  Such a label not only goes too far, but insufficiently categorizes the motives of some preachers.  Often critiques of sharp, direct preaching pronounce judgement on preachers intentions by suggesting that the purpose for course words is purely based on relevance, worldliness, and succumbing to cultural norms.  To be sure, a motivation steeped in cowardly desires of blending in, has no place in the proclamation of the Word.  However, there is another possible purpose, a virtuous purpose, behind hash, suggestive preaching–truth.

Language must be redeemed just like everything else in this world.  The way preachers redeem language is by using it properly to convey proper ideas.  No matter what words we use we must pursue truth.  The motivation must always be truth.  If preachers construct linguistic ceilings, they will be disabled from preaching the whole council of Scripture.  When particular words and particular topic are lost in a “don’t ask, don’t tell” vault, truth is not preached and relativism gains footing.  Consequently if course, sharp language is motivated by and used in the pursuit of truth we redeem language.

The average church preacher, however, must be more discerning.  Whereas mega-church pastors preach to the world, average church preachers preach to the room.*  Meaning that because of the disconnect many large church preachers have with their congregation, they are able to speak more freely.  However, a pastor that intimately knows the lives of most of his listeners must proceed with extra caution.  Average church preachers have the privilege of knowing his people’s preferences, habits, and ideologies.  He must therefore choose his words with great care in respect to his specific knowledge of his congregants.

In light of all of this, might there be a blank statement laid over the entire discussion.  No matter what size of the church, no matter what language is used or what message is preached, the preacher must always posture himself lovingly.  Preachers may preach truthfully, forcefully, honestly, and beautifully but if his ministry and message is void of love, he is a clanging gong and will rendered ineffective from the pulpit.  Our words must be sharp but true and always wrapped in a tone of love.