This week, the role of the preacher in American society has become a topic of conversation. It's not that I don't think about this. As a preacher in a congregation, I think about this all the time. Every Sunday. Actually, every Monday when I start thinking about next Sunday and the work I will attempt to do to convey a message to the people in my church. I also think about the fact that I mostly preach to the choir, as they say. The people who come are the people who come. I do not see guests every week. I often wonder if my preaching has something to do with that. No one is inviting anyone to come and hear the Word here. But that's the ego talking. There is a more pressing situation, though. At the present moment, the voices of those who are proclaiming violence, discrimination, fear, and exclusion are loud and boastful and arrogant and rude. They are emboldened by the election results. Right now, a lot is happening that is causing fear and even panic. The inauguration and the executive activity this week provokes response. So, do we give one or not? And to whom are we responding? I don't have millions of followers or a popular podcast. It makes me wonder if what I say, which is what I do, matters?
On Tuesday, the Bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Washington DC, preached a message at the inauguration prayer service, in which she implored the President to show mercy to particular people: people who identify with the LGBTQ+ community and immigrants, especially undocumented people who live and work here, whose children are citizens who go to school here. She asked him to be merciful and to create safety and possibility for people who seek asylum from violence and poverty. It was a bold public message directed to the President of the United States. In the tradition of Moses to Pharaoh, Nathan to David, Elijah to Ahab, Jesus to Pilate, Paul to Caesar, Bishop Budde spoke the gospel to the president. He didn't like it very much. She may become a target of his ire. He may endanger her life. She counted the cost of her speech and her silence and choose to use her office as Bishop and preacher to appeal for mercy. I think that is the role of the preacher in society today. To know the gospel is good news for those who suffer and to find a way to announce it publicly, which carries risk. But, how do we preach publicly? I don't think congregations most congregations are public institutions. They are mostly perceived as private religious social clubs for members. I have been asked if someone could bring their extended family to Sunday morning worship, if they are not members. Consider your own faith community. How "public" is it? And, who does the gospel comfort and confront every week? Are any leaders with power addressed? Who is listening? This begs a larger question:
