When I was in college, I taught a couple of classes at the school that met at my church. Frequently when one of the children was being disciplined for words that were unkind, profane, or angry, the principal would have the offending student transcribe James 3 a particular number of times. The greater the offense, the greater the number of copies required.
I’m not convinced about the effectiveness of that teaching method; but I am convinced about the power of words and what the principal was attempting to train the children to understand — words do have consequences, and so do tones and attitudes. Words are important and they can be used to build up and destroy. How we use our words will determine whether we are building God-glorifying homes and families and cultures, or whether we are razing every cultural edifice in sight, destroying our testimony to God in the process.
My belief in the significance of words (which is not to say that I always speak well and rightly — it continues to be one of the areas which is of great struggle for me) has long been one of my concerns with Mark Driscoll, the so-called “cussing pastor” of Mars Hill Church in Seattle.
Mark has been pastor there for over ten years; I have heard several audio sermons by him, and been generally very encouraged and helped by what I’ve heard. So why a blog about him now? Because next week he will be speaking at the Desiring God Conference for John Piper. The theme of the conference? “The Power of Words and the Wonder of God.” Great theme. Great speakers. Mark Driscoll seems a curious fit.
Pulpit Magazine asks the question I’ve wondered — “why Mark?” and then answers with a number of comments about why course, crude, sarcastic speach in the pulpit is inconsistent with the role of the pastor. “John Piper, Mark Driscoll, and Harsh Language” is worth reading not only for pastors, but for everyone who struggles with issues concerning the tongue.
Words of Grace 