BLOGGING TOWARD SUNDAY…

In the latest issue of Sojourner’s magazine, Pastor Joel Hunter succinctly describes a dilemma I struggle with nearly every day of my life, and certainly in every sermon! He begins by recounting a session he had just had with his Board of Elders in which they were discussing people who had left their church because of their perceptions of the pastor’s “political activities.” After talking about what the Bible has to say about creation care, peacemaking, poverty, etc., he said that “this is not about politics. This is about expressing the Christian witness in the public square as a part of what it means to be a mature Christian.” The Board agreed, but warned the pastor that he had to bend over backwards in order not to make these issues political.

Pastor Hunter concluded that if pastors want to be involved in addressing the social issues of the day in a prophetic and compassionate way, we must make three decisions:
1. We must decide to have courage, while realizing that such courage may cost some their jobs. But, he said, if “our fear diminishes the fullness of the gospel’s love and concern, if others go on suffering so that we can be more secure, what kind of ministry do we have?”
2. We must decide that we will make our voice on social issues one that directly links the Bible and the life of Christ to the issue. No problem there, of course, since simply reading the text will make that clear.
3. We must not be distracted by personal attacks, personal links, or the temptation to defend ourselves. If the cross teaches anything, it teaches us sacrifice. “We have only one Person we need to consider: One from whom we long to hear, ‘Well done.’”

Thanks, Joel Hunter…you’ve made me feel much less alone, and consequently, a little braver. sk

Filed under: Blogging Toward Sunday