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One way to notice anxiety is to pay attention to sloppy language we use. I recall a preacher frequently saying to his staff, 'the real ministry happens off the stage.'
Sloppy language that made him an immediate, accidental hypocrite.
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Sloppy language that made him an immediate, accidental hypocrite.
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What he meant was a great point, 'everyday interactions before and after a sermon are at least as important as the sermon.'
But by using sloppy language, he was introducing a false dichotomy and straw man.
This is a sign of anxiety.
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But by using sloppy language, he was introducing a false dichotomy and straw man.
This is a sign of anxiety.
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When you are a preacher, saying, 'the real ministry happens off the stage' you are saying, 'preaching is not real ministry' yet you are preaching every week.
Your sharp staff is looking at you, wondering why you put so much time into an endeavor that is futile.
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Your sharp staff is looking at you, wondering why you put so much time into an endeavor that is futile.
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Unfortunately church is full of this sort of sloppy language:
'We are a church for people who don't like church.'
'I'm just trying to be Jesus to my neighbors.'
'Church isn't Sundays.'
Or at frequent pastor conferences, the pastor on stage, 'I don't like Christians.'
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'We are a church for people who don't like church.'
'I'm just trying to be Jesus to my neighbors.'
'Church isn't Sundays.'
Or at frequent pastor conferences, the pastor on stage, 'I don't like Christians.'
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Really? You don't like yourself? You don't like your spouse?
What you mean is 'I don't like inward focused, smug Christians.'
Fine. None of us like those people!
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What you mean is 'I don't like inward focused, smug Christians.'
Fine. None of us like those people!
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How about we think one level deeper and say exactly what we mean.
You can't build healthy culture while using sloppy, inaccurate language. You will repel sharp people who will sniff you out and leave.
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You can't build healthy culture while using sloppy, inaccurate language. You will repel sharp people who will sniff you out and leave.
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