Introduction  

Elaborate introductions take the focus off of Christ. If an introduction is necessary, please use one similar to the following:

“Richard Ross is husband to LaJuana, who has joined him in a lifetime of loving teenagers. They are parents of college student Clayton. Richard served as youth minister for thirty years and now is a volunteer with teenagers and parents at Wedgwood Baptist in Fort Worth. Richard is professor to the next generation of youth ministers at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth. Since its inception, Richard has served as the spokesperson for the international True Love Waits movement.”

Please do not make reference to academic degrees or number of books written. Please do not make exaggerated statements related to impact or influence. Please do not use the phrase “co-founder of TLW” (Christ founded that movement). Please do not make reference to the requests in this paragraph or apologize for a brief introduction (i.e., “Richard asked that we not say . . .”).

Jesus’ Opinion on Such Matters: "Beware of (leaders) who love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats (at church) and the places of honor at banquets.”

I believe strongly in the books I have written. I celebrate actions leaders take to place these resources before parents and families. Even so, I ask that if reference is made to the books, it be made before worship begins or after it ends. “My house shall be called a house of prayer . . .”