Preaching "hard stuff"
Here's a worthwhile article from last Spring's Leadership Journal on "Saying the Hard Stuff." Author Gordon Macdonald begins by looking at the situation in 1 and 2 Timothy and goes on to remind preachers of the ongoing need to say hard stuff:
This is the crux of the issue when it comes to hard stuff. It usually means subject matter that people do not want to hear. So the pastor had better be on solid ground when hard-stuff time comes. . . .
You're on it when you begin with a careful handling of Scripture. Not proof texts where one starts with an opinion and then seeks some sort of biblical endorsement. But a search of the Bible with the question: What does the Bible say to this issue? Which biblical people dealt with this matter and why? What are the implications if we do not change—or if we do?
This is just a sampling. I recommend reading the whole article.
posted by Milton Stanley at 9:54 PM
13 Comments:
he's still in the pastorate? should have stepped down....now that's some hard stuff! funny it should reference 1 tim....what about purity and self control and the pulpit don't some folks get. the term in the dictionary is called "reclusal". sorry if it hurts gordon - it's the truth.
I submit that the same can be said for bloggers! We better be handling Scripture carefully. We better be "meek and lowly of heart."
I am new to blogging. And it is hard not to get on a soap box and proclaim "thus saith Kevin" instead of "thus saith the Lord."
I will check yours out some more. thanks for stopping by mine.
~Kevin
Milton,
This is where I think we run into trouble preaching in congregations who's history is one of a movement that was often fundamentalist in its approach to scripture.
So many people have been trained by default to enter scripture with your conclusion already at hand and then find a verse which supports that conclusion. And as we all know, if your conviction is strong enough, you will find a way to make some verse fit your conclusion whether the verse actually does or not.
I try to not only approach scripture with the rigors of historical-grammatical exegesis first but also with a theological mind set shaped by the Trinity. The Father sends the Son to redeem humanity and call humanity to follow the Son in a cross shaped life and now equips every believer to live that redeemed life by the power of the Spirit. So I ask of every text (once I have done the exegesis) how does that text relate to redemption and cross-shaped living, and how is the Spirit trying to empower me to live out that text in my context?
Oh yeah, I have had Dr. John Mark Hicks for several classes, including Theological Hermeneutics, as well.
I enjoy your post.
Kevin, stop by mine - it is, after all, the orb of all truth in the universe... plus a few jokes and stuff...
Blessings,
Dan McGowan
"Blog of All"
www.commonsaints.blogspot.com
Ouch - my tongue is in my cheek!
Good post, Milton.
I'm running into folks who are flocking to the feel-good preaching that is typical in many sensitive-seeking, PD, emergent-type churches as of late. While the sermons are always encouraging, inspiring, etc, how are these folks gonna hang tough when the real tragic storms of life hit? If the preaching isn't tough enough, how prepared will they be? Many will fall away, probably. Guess I have a soapbox I don't need to climb on right now, but my heart is burdened for the whole counsel of God to be preached, whether it's popular or not. If we lift up Jesus, He will draw all men to Himself...
Thanks for the great post.
Vicki - I would take your great comments one tiny step further (and I actually think you believe the same as this, reading what you have written on other blogs) --
Not only that we PREACH the whole counsel of God - but that we LIVE it, too - and let that ALSO be our "witness." I'm reading a great book right now, The Present Future, which talks about that.
See more at my blog, www.commonsaints.blogspot.com
Anon: I'm not sure I follow your reasoning, but thanks for your comments.
You're right, Kevin. All the best in your blogging. Peace.
Rex said: "So many people have been trained by default to enter scripture with your conclusion already at hand and then find a verse which supports that conclusion."
Boy, you nailed it there, Rex. If we keep God at the center of your preaching, as you point out, we shouldn't stray too far.
Thanks for your kind words.
Well, Dan, if we don't toot our own horns, who will?
Amen, Vicki. You're certainly correct that feel-good preaching isn't what Christians need when the going gets tough. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these matters.
I am blessed to have a pastor who often tackles "the tough stuff" and I'm certainly not going to lie. It is often hard to listen to....but he is so humble and you get the idea he is preaching to himself as much as anyone else. I thank God for the coragous pastor I have that is not afraid to preach what the Bible says....
Thanks for sharing about your preacher and how he can preach the hard stuff. Hope you and Joshua are prospering. Peace.
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