What if my pastor isnt commenting, giving a statement or guiding the church when things like Charlie Kirk death happens
Q: I love my church, I love the people in my church. We recently got a new pastor and I like him well enough. We are still getting used to each other. However, yesterday after the tragic assasination of Charlie Kirk, (a brother in Christ)... there were crickets from him 😬. I have other pastor friends on my socials 🤔and they all offered something, from prayer, to encouragement, but from him… nothing. I am totally in shock. This makes me feel heavy in my heart.
Do I just go to him, do I start looking at a new church, it really bothers me that he didn’t post even to us, his congregation knowing that most of us are conservative/Bible focused, and we’re praying for Charlie. Advice?
A: Pastors def need to speak in times like this. It is a very needed conversation with the congregation today, because such situations explains many things new or weak or curious people have about Christianity, (and if not addressed, contact be a reason church folk leave the Faith, including teens). It can also light a fire under the lukewarm to tighten up, be in the Word, wear the Armor of God, and get equipped to share the Gospel. It can also result in congregants getting closer and being more actively together. It leads to the church becoming outreach folk as called to by Jesus Commission .
It covers:
● Death & why death exists
●The Fall; why the world is messed up
●Sin; Why theres suffering, evil, illness, disease, deformities, death.
●That Christians live to serve God & minister to the Lost
● Theres a cost to follow Christ; our cross follows His... his ended at Golgatha, - death.
●Persecution is real, is expected, faithful & true believers will experience it, in varied forms, and some as mayrters unto death
●It reminds us that God is in control; so theres no need to fear.
●Death can only bring believers into Jesus presence; sin free eternity.
●God brings believers home, when their work here is done.
●Points everyone to the Godpel, & their urgent need to be right with God, (tomorrow isn't guaranteed).
●It explains "Why Christianity. Why Christ".
All of these things help us live as believers, prevents us living in fear, and keeps us trusting God, no matter what comes in life.
A pastor having an "indifferent" or "apathetic" uninterested response is not good, worse if hes fearing for his job (or income loss) if hes concerned liberals will leave the church. I say weed out the goats from the sheep. If they leave, Scripture says "They were never of us." If they dont listen or oppose him speaking the truyh... they out themselves as unsaved probable Children of Satan. If hes fearing they'll persecute him and kill him like Jesus or Charlie... then hes not being faithful to God, and not a persin worthy to be pastor.
He needs to speak love in truth.
If he cant speak off the cuff on these topics, how can he guide the church? Many in pastoral positions shouldnt be. Many are weak snd dont know much; they even cheat by avoiding the Holy Spirit workingbin them thru study, ask they download sermons or use Ai to build it. Horrible. Those kind of people shouldnt be in leadership.
I will say, if hes a young newer pastor, he might be looking for guidance from solid reputably known pastors, to see how theyre addressing it, what theyre including and avoiding (positively), before giving a statement. And crafting one carefully after prayer and time in the Word.
If hes been a pastor for a while, has a theology degree [in my opinion all pastors should have a bachelor's or masters in Theology], has been to seminary... he has no excuse filor not addressing this. Those hes shepherding are struck and fleeing in fear, need answers, and guidance. If he cant answer this simple topic... he has no business being in that position.
He might be waiting for facts on the criminal assassin, to mot speak wrong facts. Thats understandable, but he csn address the overall situation. Yes in some cases a murderer isnt caught. But you can simply say when caught, we hope he gets right with God through Christ by the Gospel.
If he doesnt put something out condemning it right away. And speak deeper on it within or 3 days, yall need to reconsider him as pastor. I'm not joking.
If he doesnt address this, I suggest taking the info on this page and crafting a letter encouraging him to boldly speak out on this right away, as it addresses things congregants need to know. Send it by email if you have it. And then pray for him.
If he avoids the topic tomorrow in Sermon and in announcements, it is something to bring to the pastoral committee to reconsider and possibly let him go. You cant have a weakling or coward as shepherd.
Buy yes, you need to go to him and expect response.
If you haven't been a member there for long, and don't see him being the leader he should be, based on his response, and the church isnt thunking/leaning towards removing him...yeah, go ahead and find another church. If you've no deep ties there, theres no reason not to struggle with this - leave.
We cant disregard these issues, and they're springboard to teach truth and encourage believers to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel.
God bless
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