Friday, September 23, 2011

Pastor's Circle - Steve Blakemore

Steve Blakemore is the Professor of Philosophy at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, as well as the newly appointed pastor of Wesley Chapel. Here are the "CliffsNotes" of his interview.
 
How should a pastor talk about politics from the pulpit?
I think the first thing we should keep in mind when we talk about politics is that Christians do not have an investment in either political party.

We have to speak in such a way that the people in the pews understand that the political process can be good or bad, but it's not ultimate.

I can get really wrought up about the direction of the country, but I have to remind myself that if I'm not careful I can sound like the Republican party is the ultimate hope for America.

That's the first thing that can keep us from being able to proclaim the Kingdom values in this.
How can a pastor keep his balance?
The first thing is this. We need to make sure that we do not spend time demonizing individuals.

We need to speak strongly against policies that are obviously immoral, like abortion or same-sex marriage. When a party is advocating those policies openly, we need to speak against it.

But when individuals endorse those policies, we cannot demonize those people and elevate others.

That seems to me to cross the line. We have to proclaim the truth, but always remember that Christ died for these people.
It's not easy.
It certainly is hard. I heard a bit of your devotional today, talking about how Jesus challenges us to do things that are hard.

I think that doesn't just involve going to the abortion clinic, or standing outside of the strip club.

It also involves the rigor of thinking compassionately without getting mushy about things that matter.

Jesus is the one who said to us, "Love your enemies." I don't think that command goes away.
What are we to make of the whole Ted Haggard situation?
I can't tell you how deeply, incredibly sad this makes me.

It's almost unbelievable how this kind of ministry can unravel in someone's life.

It seems to me, though, that if we ratchet it back a little bit, that every pastor may not have that big of a name, that big of a following, but every pastor has to be on guard against celebrity.
Even if it's just in your own church.
What are the antidotes to celebrity?
I think that something you talk about a lot is the first antidote.

You've got to have a group of men who will keep you accountable. Guys who are not impressed with you. Guys who will speak the truth to you.

The celebrity problem is more easily avoided if you have that kind of accountability.

The second thing is that pastors need to be out somewhere in the hard places of ministry. To be reminded again and again of the suffering that goes out in the world.

2 comments:

  1. Mr. Blakemore has a strong point. The public is split about 50:50 Democrat:Republican. When Christianity identifies with a political party, it automatically alienates 50% of the people. American Family Radio too often appears to be getting talking points from one party. Why should a Christian leader be considered an expert on climate change or national economics for that matter? Spread the Word, get out of politics!

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  2. I am not sure that Christians need to be out of politics more that politics need to be out of the church. I would say that our beliefs and values comes from our faith it is our faith in Christ that guides our thinking and position on certain laws. Without a foundation upon which to draw from one is left to make laws out self preservation of their desires. However, with a foundation of faith in Christ one does not make laws for themselves, but draw from what Christ taught his disciples. Be in the world not of the world. Therefore, we can be a light in the darkness for both political parties.

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