This is totally copy-pasted from a blog and one (or two) of the comments from that post, but I thought it was hilariously funny- so get ready to laugh (unless you don’t share my sense of humor).
The Christian Email Signoffs Debate
I would like to raise an issue of critical importance that I have been considering for some time now, and that is the issue of Christian email sign offs. Let me explain.
When it comes to email, Christians tend to fall into two groups. The first group, which includes myself, concludes every email with a simple farewell, such as “thanks” or “sincerely”. The second group tends to conclude every email with a Christian sign off, a biblical John Hancock if you will, such as “blessings” or “grace and peace”. My question is: am I the only Christian who thinks it’s weird to end an email with a benediction?
I think it’s weird for several reasons. First, the benediction ending often doesn’t fit the context. I’ll get emails like:
Yo homey,
You up for getting some wings tonight and watching Monday night football? You better be there or you’re a loser!
Rejoicing in the abundant grace of God,
John
Or, as happened to a friend who asked for help moving (I assume the signoff was automatically inserted):
Hey Eric,
No.
Saved to Serve,
Nick
Second, I don’t talk like that in normal life. I don’t end my phone conversations by saying, “May the blessings of God follow you throughout the day.” People would probably think I’m a bit weird if I did that.
But here’s the thing: I have many godly, reasonably well adjusted friends who use Christian email signoffs. And they don’t think it’s weird. One friend, who I won’t identify other than saying that he is an assistant to C.J. Mahaney and that his name sounds like “Bony Deinke”, concludes his emails with the word “blessings”.
So could somebody give me a definitive ruling on this? Should I be concluding each email in the same fashion that Paul concluded his epistles, or is a simple “thanks” enough?
One Comment-er replied saying:
“Perhaps, if we are aiming for the Pauline approach, we should begin our emails in a similar manner.
Jane, a servant of God, a member of my local church, and rejoicing in His grace, to Bill, a fellow disicple and brother: Grace and peace to you!
Do you think we should have cupcakes or cookies at our party on Sat.?
….
That would actually eliminate the benediction. “Grace and Peace, Jane” would be a little redundant.
Just saying! :)”
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Another comment I think I will start implementing…:
“I usually just sign off with whatever I’m feeling at the time… usually something like,From a very happy person,
Sarah
or:
Feeling extremely sorry for the shocking lack of grammar and construction of this email,
Sarah
or: (If I really, really like the receiver of the email)
I LOVE YOU A MILLION POUNDS OF STARBURSTS,
Sarah
or sometimes:
Humph,
Sarah
and sometimes I just say:
Goodbye forever,
Sarah
P.S. It works nicely that way.”
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so funny. hope it made you laugh so hard you cried.