Press Releases
News Release: For Immediate ReleasePastors and Theological Seminary Ask Preachers to Change Tactics at Main Street PlazaSALT LAKE CITY, December 20, 2002 -- The Salt Lake Theological Seminary and a group of Utah pastors are asking preachers to be more respectful while sharing their beliefs at the Main Street Plaza. The number of street evangelists at the plaza have apparently increased after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that speech cannot be restricted on the plaza easement. Seminary President Ken Mulholland says he is alarmed by the reports of rude behavior towards members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the plaza. "It is our hope that these preachers will show more respect at the plaza and elsewhere. Just because we can preach at the plaza doesn't mean we should. We will rely on the courts and city leaders to sort out the property and free speech rights. In the meantime, we are asking for an end to the in-your-face style of preaching." The pastors and the Seminary are encouraging those who publicly share the gospel of Jesus Christ to do so in a loving and respectful manner, sensitive to what others hold sacred. This would include sharing their beliefs through friendships, the positive teaching of the Bible in churches and through several ministries of compassion like the Salvation Army and the Rescue Mission, etc. Scott McKinney, pastor of Christ Evangelical Church in Orem, "I have yet to speak with one pastor or Evangelical who supports these tactics. Yes, we seek to share the Good News and to be witnesses to our LDS neighbors. We need to do so in a way that is consistent with the love of Christ." Dean Shriver, pastor of Intermountain Baptist Church and moderator of the Utah Conservative Baptist Association, “To our Latter-day Saint neighbors and friends, please accept our apologies for the highly publicized acts of a misguided few. Evangelism involves more than speaking or shouting the truth." Jim Ayers, pastor of West Valley Assembly of God, “It is our desire to present the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a fashion that is respectful of others. To do so in any other way hinders the message we desire to convey." Pat Edwards, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Bountiful, "These street preachers do not represent anyone other than themselves or the immediate group that supports them. Certainly most of us find rude and insensitive behavior contrary to the basic message of love and grace that Jesus preached." Gregory C.V. Johnson, director of Standing Together, an association of Utah evangelical pastors, "The evangelical community believes it is critical to stand together and speak out against methods that unnecessarily offend and divide people within our community." Seigfried Krueger, pastor of Mountain View Assembly of God, "We should not exercise our rights in a way that is derogatory, unloving and spiteful toward another group or segment of society." Tim Clark, executive director of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, "I would not want this type of preaching going on in front of my place of worship. The gospel needs to be proclaimed but there is no biblical model for this type of conduct." Arvin Haynes, pastor of Salt Lake Christian Assembly, "Jesus is very emphatic about our love toward others even if we differ on what we believe." Last year the Salt Lake Theological Seminary produced the Bridges Training Series to help transcend the acrimony that is often associated with religious exchanges between traditional Christians and Latter-day Saints. Bridges is a positive approach to understanding LDS culture and encouraging people to foster genuine relationships with Latter-day Saints. Other pastors and Christian leaders are also calling for a show of respect at the plaza, including: Mike Imperiale, First Presbyterian Church; Corky Seevink, Salt Lake Christian Fellowship; Les Magee, Washington Heights Baptist Church in Ogden; Jason Wallace, Christ Presbyterian Church; Brian Hare-Diggs, First United Methodist Church; Jennifer Hare-Diggs, Centenary United Methodist Church; Paul Robie, South Mountain Community Church in Draper; Michael Hurt, Evangelical Free Church; Jim Munter, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Jeff Nellermoe, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church; Darrell Evans, Oasis Vineyard Church; and Tim Brewer, Central Church of the Nazarene.
About Salt Lake Theological SeminarySalt Lake Theological Seminary is an evangelical Protestant graduate school providing practical, relevant Christian education and leadership training. Located in the unique cultural setting of Utah, Salt Lake Theological Seminary equips men and women to meet the challenges of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in the midst of the increasing cultural diversity of our world. The seminary is engaged in a broad range of ministries and programs, including graduate and undergraduate study, conferences, seminars, community outreach and the production of educational materials. More information can be found on this web site. ### For more information contact: Ken Mulholland |