It is a current criticism of the contemporary church that there is very little prophetic preaching occurring in our churches. Many of us bear a measure of guilt that we haven’t addressed some of the issues of our society in a more direct way. Sometimes it is just a case of protecting our employment, or not wanting to offend people we count as friends, but it also has to do with not feeling we know enough to really speak to these issues.
Let me suggest an approach that does draw upon our knowledge as pastors and I think many in our congregation might respect. Regardless of the issue that is before us, we have something to say that is different from the columnist in the newspaper. While we may not consider ourselves in league with the great theologians who write books, we have a lot more theological background than most of our parishioners. Most of the issues that face our community raise theological issues that need to be explored.
Justice issues often raise profound questions of how God sees humanity. What does it mean to pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” in light of the suffering of the poor or those caught in natural disasters? What are the parables that address the issues of greed in our society? How does one address the issue of violence in our society from the perspective of the Ten Commandments? When people are frightened about the chaos of nations, how do we speak of the sovereignty of God.
You can think of your own examples. What I am suggesting is that people are yearning for some deeper theological understandings that provide them some roots in the midst of our chaotic world and we have the resources that can contribute to their understanding. That is also a place to carefully design our liturgy in ways that provides them with deeper resources.
