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In the mid 70's I attended a workshop at Harding. Some of the presenters were Neale Pryor; Jack McKinney, James S. Woodruff, Jimmy Allen, Avon Malone and Jack Gray. It was probably the most helpful, challenging and troubling workshop I have ever attended. in the workbook that I came away with contained the following article - I would list the author but no name was attached. Because of the length I did edit out one paragraph. What should be done with Modern Day Preachers in churches of Christ? "Fling him into his office, tear off the sign "office" and nail on the sign, "study". Take him off the mailing list; lock him up with his books, his typewriter and his Bible. Slam him on his knees before great texts, broken hearts, the flippant lives of a superficial flock and the Holy God. Set a time clock for 40 hrs. a week. Require him to have something to say before he dares break the silence. Bend his knees in the lonesome valley, fir him form the PTA and cancel his country club membership. Burn his eyes with weary study, wreck his emotional poise with worry for God and make him exchange his pious stance for a humble walk with God and man. Make him spend and be spent for the flory of God. When at long last he dares assay the pulpit ask him if he has a word from God; if he does not, then dismiss him and tell him you can read the morning paper, digest the television commentaries, think through the days of superficial problems, manage the community drives and bless assorted baked potatoes and green beans ad infinitum better than he can. Command him not to come back until he has read and reread, written and rewritten, until he can stand up, worn and forlorn, and say, "Thus Saith the Lord." Thirty something years later I am even more convinced that what is needed in our sermon, Bible classes, daily conversations is not what we can down load from some smooth talking preacher but a "Thus Saith the Lord". Perhaps less time listening to what others say the Bible says and actually reading what the Bible says. Read it again for the first time. Garry
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