Prepare to be Offended

I was in a meeting with some of the staff people when someone offhandedly joked about another colleague’s comment with the words, “Ulp… prepare to be offended.” I commented that the phrase would be a great sermon title, but, instead, I use it here. I received a letter from a congregant who felt that I had been a bit sneaky in my last article. They thought I was speaking about a candidate in an underhanded manner. I thought I was pretty blatant, but the writer also said they were not attending church because of the way I spoke my opinions with subtlety. I wrote back to say that it was wise not to come to church if they didn’t trust me. I want people to know they can trust what I’m saying and why I’m saying it. I may be wrong on something, and I’m happy to be corrected, but I will always be sincere. That’s because the truth is of vital importance to me. It’s really the only thing I have. If I don’t tell the truth, if I don’t lift up the truth of Scripture, if I don’t live in relation to truth, then I’m wasting my time, pretty much. When a public figure has said things that were untrue I’ve always called them out on it. I’ve spoken out when I’ve heard Presidents Clinton, Obama, the Bushes… all say things that aren’t true. I don’t care which side of the aisle they come from. This is because Truth is more important than Presidents. I don’t really care what political party you join. I hope you have good and honest reasons for your choice that aren’t against someone but are for a manner of making choices you respect. Ultimately, political parties will not make a difference, because our first allegiance is to Jesus, and Jesus’ first allegiance is the truth. He came to bring us the truth, to live out the truth, and to call us into the freedom we find in being true. My letter writer also told me that the church didn’t need me to “straighten it out.” But, you know, that’s a pretty good job description for a pastor. Pastors are the people who are called, along with the elders, to help straighten out the community. To lead the church of Jesus in a clear direction, a straightforward direction, a helpful, healthy, and growing direction… into the truth. “Straightening out the church” pretty much sums up all we’re supposed to be doing. If it offends you, that’s a good time to have a conversation. The thing I liked best about the letter was that it was signed. Unsigned letters I just throw away. Signed letters prompt me to listen, learn, and review my heart. Blessings, Geoff