When a pastor is speaking hard truths to a congregation, s/he needs to recognize several things. First, there is a hunger for deep spiritual truths among many in the congregation. Second, much of the theological knowledge that provides the basis for hearing such truths is something that was taught in seminary and not provided to the average lay person. Many members learned some of the central theological doctrines in Sunday School, but their faith is mostly based on how they feel rather than what they think. Like with much of our political responses, people are not accustomed to making decisions by in depth analysis but rather on intuitive feeling.
Congregations should encourage their pastors, and pastors should recognize the importance of providing, both in sermons and in teaching opportunities, a grounding in some of the deep theological truths of our faith. It is on the basis of such theological understandings that congregations can hear messages that challenge their current societal conditions.
Like the prophets before, prophetic speech should build on the central truths of our faith. If God is sovereign and Christ is recognized as both our Lord and the Prince of Peace, then even if it is uncomfortable, we recognize the importance of responding to the violence of our world in ways that hold the possibility of peace. If God is the creator and lord of all creation and all humanity was created in the image of God, then Jesus’ command to love our enemy both makes sense and offers us particular challenges in our own response to people who are different or threatening to us.
Leadership within congregations need to encourage their pastors to bring the central elements of our faith to bear on the conditions of our world. While it is uncomfortable, there is hope contained in the truths of God that challenge our current society. The prophets challenged their society but also offered hope contained in the love of God.
