Thoughts

I realize in writing this and posting it to this blog, I’m declaring something that many will object to.  I also realize that for the majority of my time in ministry, I have avoided saying what I really think or feel.  I ask that if anyone reads this, you would prayerfully discern how human I really am and the tension to be a shepherd in God’s kingdom, not a political leader in our society – although I admit there should and will be intersections of both realities.

After the events of January 6 in Washington DC, my daughter looked at my wife and me and said, “so, obviously you’re Democrats, right?”  I could see how the language and word choices of our conversation about what happened that day had led her to believe this.  Without hesitation, I told her, “no, I’m independent.”  And then I tried to explain how every election is a crisis of moral conscience – and how nothing is black and white for me. 

I once polled a Sunday School class I was teaching with the question, “should a pastor his/her voice political concerns?”  The response was an obvious 50/50 split.  Therein lies the conundrum for me.  On one hand, “politics” simple means issues surrounding society and people.  On the other, “politics” assumes a party agenda – a slate of issues that one group finds agreement on. 

Now, for most contexts of the Church, we find ourselves in conversations surrounding morality.  We look for biblical guidance and its authority to discern God’s opinion on our world.  And then we try to live in that opinion, aka “His will”.   When it comes to the array of issues with abortion, civil rights, human sexuality, immigration reform, economy growth, healthcare, and foreign relations, the Bible is not silent.  But how people interpret the contexts and applications are debated on scholastic and more personal levels.  This means that our Church’s leaders are going to find common ground and opposing viewpoints. 

From a pastoral standpoint, we ask ourselves when nurtures God’s people.  And sometimes we ask ourselves what protects God’s people.  For the true image of a pastor is found in the biblical imagery of a shepherd.  Jesus himself declared that a good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11).  In professing to be the “good shepherd” – meaning the most accurate representation of God’s leader.  Peter wrote that God’s people have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:25)  Invoking this same language, my friend Andy – who is a pastor – recently wrote to his congregation:

I don’t think that pastors should tell people how to vote. My concern here is not the endorsement of political parties. Both of our major political parties are imperfect – neither fully represents a faithful embodiment of the Scriptures. My concern here is that a wolf has walked into the pasture and convinced the residents that he’s a sheep – without even putting on a wool sweater! For some reason when the sheep listen to the wolf, they think he sounds like the Shepherd. As one of the herd dogs, I’m ashamed that I haven’t been barking loud enough.

Citation available by request in order to protect this pastor.

The rub for the pastor who identifies as a shepherd is “when do I bark?”  When do I say “this is wrong” or “watch out, a wolf is on the prowl”?  When evangelical leaders threw their hat in with Donald Trump, I was admittedly confused.  His demeanor and accusations did not resonate with the Kingdom of God nor could this be said of the other candidate(s).  And for four years, I’ve watched time and time again as his supporters dig up rationale for his behavior.  He divorced himself from facts and championed his authority over courts, elected officials, and constitutional procedure.  Even then, I remained silent because his character was always congruent with such immorality. 

But on January 6, his staunchest supporters waved “Jesus 2020” flags and behaved with such irrationality that no one thought their mania would reflect poorly on the name of Christ.  Such is the psychology of groupthink and an arrow in the quiver of spiritual demons.  I want to be clear that my battle to remain politically neutral still persists.  I am not convinced of one party’s altruism over another’s.  Instead, I rely on the knowledge of the Lord Jesus as my and our salvation. 

If you’re reading this, it’s because you know me or you’re trying to get to know me.  And in the hopes of developing as a pastor, I ask for your prayers – for me and the other colleagues in ministry who trying to navigate these waters without succumbing to cowardice.  On such days as these, political neutraility is not optional. And so, to answer the question posed in the title: No. I do not believe a pastor will always be able to remain neutral. On most occasions, I believe it best to avoid political debate, remaining party-neutral. And in agreement with my friend, I will never tell people how to vote. But I will also never remain silent when my sheep need protecting.

I long for the day when all is made clear on the Day of the Lord and His kingdom truly comes to reign on this world forever.  Until then, I remain faithfully hopeful … and a lot more cautious of wolves in sheep-clothing. 

Do you have someone in your life who “sees” you?  I mean, really sees you?  I’m convinced that if we do have such a person in our lives, then we merely have a glimpse of what our Heavenly Father offers us. You see, we all have these souls that need nourishment.  Being created that way, we confess that God is the only One who can detect everything our soul needs and then meet every one of those needs.  

In Genesis, we read of a woman who was so disregarded and unseen. This woman – Hagar – had been used, mistreated, and neglected.  As she runs away from her pain, she receives the grace of God when an angel reminds her of how precious she is – and the life of son.  Fully aware now of God’s affection, she cries out “You’re the God who sees me.  Truly I see the One who sees me.”  (Gen 16:13)   

May Hagar’s testimony encourage you to come before the Father with eagerness to be fully seen and known.  And there before Him, may you see and know Him.

Do you long to be seen by God?
    Do long to fix your eyes on Him…who sees you?
In being seen…are you ready to simply let Him take care of your soul in every way?  

This is the love he bestows upon us: 
    “not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an
     atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

You are seen. You are loved.

Every summer movie production companies bank on the fact that consumers love to be entertained.  For years, they’ve poured billions of dollars into new stories to capture our imaginations.  The twist in recent years is that new stories are not as profitable as sequels and remakes.  In their studies of the movie-watching-consumer, they’ve found that we will spend more money and time on stories that are familiar to us… or stories that connect us to something we’ve already experienced.

If you look at Jesus’ teachings, he draws in each listener to an established principle or illustration we can find in farming, shepherding, treasure-seeking.  He – like those movie producers – employ that ancient art of the parable.  Jesus’ masterful parables often pivot the often-expected focus or protagonist to a new direction (i.e. the Samaritan or an extravagant Father who forgives too much.)  When he does this, it’s controversial and exhilarating. 

In short, Hollywood spent millions to discover what a first-century rabbi demonstrated each day: every soul longs for its Maker.  Such a longing takes shape in forms of elaborate quests, romantic pursuits, dramatic transformations, and epic battles between good and evil.  It resonates with us – even those who know the Name of Christ and the great treasure we have found in Him.

So what does this have to do with those belonging to the faith?  Simply put, we have a precious Story to tell… and everyone needs it…and to some degree wants it.  We should never think for a second that the message of Jesus has an expiration date or has somehow lost its relevance.  No, we (like the Apostle Paul) “preach Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor 1:20-24) because it’s the central theme of humanity’s existence; we were made by Him and for Him.

Do you know of the great depth and love of the Redeemer?  If so, you have His story to tell.  Now…who is God laying on your heart who needs to hear it?

I used to think I was a good listener.  Leading groups and meeting with folks one-on-one often provided me the opportunity to hear significant stories and I thought I had what it took to listen.  But then, I met someone who listened.  Really listened.  It caught me off guard enough to ponder about what kind of listener I am.  I wonder if you’ve thought about listening lately…?

We now live in a world where everyone who has something to say can have a platform of their own to say it via social media.  And if you don’t like the thing one person says, you can veer off and deliver your own message.  Or potentially worse, “comment” back and deliver a heartfelt disagreement, often triggering a back-and-forth that leaves the realm of “healthy conversation” and devolves into something ugly.

The art of listening is more crucial now than ever.

Author and podcaster Carmen LaBerge recently spoke to our Presbytery’s leaders and suggested that we have an opportunity to show this world something graceful and beautiful when we invite someone to “tell me more”.  Think about it.  If someone is hurting, you can invite them to reveal more about their burden.  If someone is worked up and ready to rant, you can acknowledge their frustration and let them feel heard – even if their argument isn’t valid.

“Tell me more” isn’t a magical phrase.  It won’t heal what is broken or silence ignorance.  But it can demonstrate a counter-cultural movement to this world that listening isn’t dead and that the true people of God are not here to shove a message down their throat.  Instead, It can help us invite others into our lives and help us earn the opportunity to speak truth and grace.

Early in my Christian life, I stumbled upon a devotional book from Chuck Swindoll, Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life.  The premise of these writings was to guide followers of Christ to experience the promises of truth and grace when we find ourselves in seasons of reverence (winter), renewal (spring), rest (summer), and reflection (autumn).  These categories, of course, are not meant to correspond with the literal seasons of the calendar, but those seasons of life we find ourselves in spiritually.

The stories that Swindoll shares remind me that God is not afraid to dive into this season with me – whichever it may be.  When I am alone, he sends his Spirit and community.  When I am seeking nourishment, he speaks his Word into my life.  When I need rest, he invites me to come and be at his feet.  When I am too self-focused and self-absorbed, he reminds me that his Son has given me life and teaches my soul gratitude.  This messiness is what the Kingdom of God is all about.  God steps in…speaks in… reaches in… abides in those who profess faith in the Savior.

Our community can learn so much from God’s faithfulness and willingness to step into the mess, can’t we?  We know of someone who needs an encouraging word or phone call.  We have causes of justice that create such discomfort in us, that we know we ought to speak or act.  We see all around us examples of how people place their hope in possessions or position in society.  Yet, we know a Savior.  We know the Name of the one who boldly took our place of punishment so that we might have life.  We have much to offer this messy world!

Be encouraged in whatever season you find yourself in that God is right there with you.  After all, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)