Emphasis Preaching Journal

Many years ago, in the earlier days of my ministry, a dear lady suggested I would be a more effective pastor if my last name was changed to something shorter and easier to pronounce. As I recall, she never did suggest another name. Needless to say, I never changed it, still clinging proudly to my German heritage. I must confess that I have used my middle and shorter name when making a reservation at a restaurant. I guess I do not appreciate the way my name can be mispronounced over a public address system. Israel would be called by a new-in-quality name -- God-given.