Now Introducing …

You are asked to introduce Jesus. What do you say?

There are times in the lives of most pastors when an appearance (unfortunately?) must be made at a conference or two. Perhaps, it is simply an annual gathering of district clergy. On the other hand, maybe you’ve signed up for a preaching conference, symposium to study church growth strategies, seminar to discuss how to set up an after-school ministry, or conference to study ways to keep church band members from doing serious harm to the worship leader.

In any case, you have listened to many introductions. You may have even witnessed a minor functionary introducing a major functionary, who will then introduce the world-renowned and much-ballyhooed expert on church growth or whatever. So, you’ve heard expressions such as:

• “Please join me in welcoming …”
• “It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the one and only …”
• “Please give it up for …”
• “Let’s have a round of applause for …”
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