Musings on Spiritual Matters

“That” Preacher

“That preacher never visits the hospital.” “That preacher is never available.” “That preacher is so boring.” When the term “that” is used to refer to the minister, it is typically used in a derogatory matter. The term is a subtle insult that is cloaking hostility toward the preacher. The use can derived from a minister recently coming to a congregation that the particular member did not support hiring or be derived from a member of the congregation becoming increasingly frustrated with the apparent lack of performance by the minister. Often the term will not be used to the minister’s face, but is used in conversation among members. When the term is used extensively throughout the congregation, often the minister will be asked to leave or he will leave on his own account. “That” is the term the means “I do not like, respect, or want this minister in this congregation any longer.” Even in the gospel account, the use of “that” is given in a negative sense. The gospel writers will mention “that man” which connotes a deplorable state. One example is found in Matthew 12:45 “Then it goes, and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” As one survey’s the use of the phrase “that man,” one realizes the negative connotation (Matt. 18:7; 26:24; Mark 14:21; Luke 11:26; 22:22).

Related posts:

1. That, The, Our, and My Preacher–Part 3
2. Preacher Killers
3. The Image of “First Lady”
4. The Problem of Burnout in Ministry
5. Pastor to Program Transition

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This entry was posted by Matthew on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 2:35 pm and is filed under Church News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.