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Episode 17: Politics In The Pulpit
What is the role of politics in the pulpit, when one is concerned with the kind of person one is becoming?
Should pastors use their pulpits to speak to issues of the day?
And, really, what is the difference between personal and political?
Music Credits
"The Chains Of Maybe" Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Turn Off The Moon. (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)
Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)
Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Become a Big Tipper, Regular, or Executive Producer (and receive our thanks & swag) on Patreon.
Timestamp Info
0-1:30 In the dark. With candles. Without coffee, but with Lionel Richie.
1:30-2:50 What is the role of politics in the pulpit, when one is concerned with the kind of person one is becoming?
2:50-10:00 Should pastors use their pulpits to speak to issues of the day? The (often-earned) power of the pastor in the congregation. Churches and denominations take public positions; must the pastor toe that line? What about when the pastor’s core convictions shift, and diverge from that of the congregation or the denomination? God’s world is larger than one issue, as are people’s lives.
10:00-15:35 The role of the pastor as shepherd, prophet, and priest. How do pastors serve as prophets yet maintain personal integrity—and emulate the life of Jesus? The problem of the desire for power when one is following the way of Jesus. How does the ongoing relationship between pastor & people, and the character of the pastor, affect what is appropriate and acceptable for the pastor to address?
15:35-32:00 When congregations say they don’t want politics, it’s because they don’t hear their own positions as “political.” Political is just us. The pastor’s personal convictions should determine the pastor’s leadership, along with the pastor’s behavior. Personal vs. political, and the politics of replacing the duct-taped red carpet in Elane’s church. The pastor’s personal relationship with God vs being an employee of the congregation or the denomination.
32:00-34:13 When we are mostly concerned about the people we become, how we do what we do is most important.
Have you experienced pastoral bullying? The appropriate use of the pulpit? Tell us what you have experienced or believe, especially if it’s different than what we say. Comment at www.cocktailtheology.com, or email us, or stalk us on all the public media.
Join us October 20, 2018 for our one-day retreat (http://www.reallyrealgod.com), and on social media.
If you like what we do:
- Please share us with your friends; review us on iTunes and Stitcher.
- Give to the continuation of our work on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/cocktailtheology)
- And, especially, let us know what you think! We want to learn from you: [email protected].
View all episodes
By Benton Stokes & Dr. Elane O'Rourke
4.9
99 ratings
What is the role of politics in the pulpit, when one is concerned with the kind of person one is becoming?
Should pastors use their pulpits to speak to issues of the day?
And, really, what is the difference between personal and political?
Music Credits
"The Chains Of Maybe" Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Turn Off The Moon. (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)
Our theme music: “Moving On (Feels Pretty Good)”. Words & music by Benton Stokes. Available on Grace & Gravity (CD on BentonStokes.com; digitally on Amazon and iTunes)
Copyright 2018 Songs From the Basement (BMI). All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.
Become a Big Tipper, Regular, or Executive Producer (and receive our thanks & swag) on Patreon.
Timestamp Info
0-1:30 In the dark. With candles. Without coffee, but with Lionel Richie.
1:30-2:50 What is the role of politics in the pulpit, when one is concerned with the kind of person one is becoming?
2:50-10:00 Should pastors use their pulpits to speak to issues of the day? The (often-earned) power of the pastor in the congregation. Churches and denominations take public positions; must the pastor toe that line? What about when the pastor’s core convictions shift, and diverge from that of the congregation or the denomination? God’s world is larger than one issue, as are people’s lives.
10:00-15:35 The role of the pastor as shepherd, prophet, and priest. How do pastors serve as prophets yet maintain personal integrity—and emulate the life of Jesus? The problem of the desire for power when one is following the way of Jesus. How does the ongoing relationship between pastor & people, and the character of the pastor, affect what is appropriate and acceptable for the pastor to address?
15:35-32:00 When congregations say they don’t want politics, it’s because they don’t hear their own positions as “political.” Political is just us. The pastor’s personal convictions should determine the pastor’s leadership, along with the pastor’s behavior. Personal vs. political, and the politics of replacing the duct-taped red carpet in Elane’s church. The pastor’s personal relationship with God vs being an employee of the congregation or the denomination.
32:00-34:13 When we are mostly concerned about the people we become, how we do what we do is most important.
Have you experienced pastoral bullying? The appropriate use of the pulpit? Tell us what you have experienced or believe, especially if it’s different than what we say. Comment at www.cocktailtheology.com, or email us, or stalk us on all the public media.
Join us October 20, 2018 for our one-day retreat (http://www.reallyrealgod.com), and on social media.
If you like what we do:
- Please share us with your friends; review us on iTunes and Stitcher.
- Give to the continuation of our work on Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/cocktailtheology)
- And, especially, let us know what you think! We want to learn from you: [email protected].