From Pastor Bill

According to a new report released by the Barna Group, 9 out of 10 Christian pastors felt that “helping Christians have biblical beliefs about specific issues is a major part of their role as clergy.”  That’s not surprising, is it?  And yet they won’t!  Why?  Because, they feel “limited in their ability to speak out by concerns they will offend people” (Christianity Today, April 5, 2019). Specifically, homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion, and sexual morality.  In other words, pastors know that their responsibility is to speak the truth and help others embrace that truth, but the risk of offense silences their voice! 

Please listen: The relevance of a church is not found in its capitulation to culture, but its transformation of culture.  We do not gain the world’s attention through a compromised voice, but through an alternative (biblical) voice!

I have always marveled at how Jesus could proclaim absolute truth without compromising to those far from God, and then have those very people invite him to their parties!  What was his secret?  He spoke the truth clearly and fully, but with love and grace in his heart!  For instance, he stopped the stoning of a woman caught in adultery, made it clear that he was not going to condemn her, but also admonished her to turn from her adulterous ways.

Truth and love flowed from Jesus in a way that was intertwined.  Jesus offered neither a feel-good theology that airbrushed out any real talk of sin, nor legalistic attitudes of harsh condemnation and judgment.

So, yes, you and I will offend with the proclamation of the truth, even when it is done lovingly and with grace.  It is inevitable.  But it’s a necessary offense if you are going to present the full nature of the gospel. And this is what causes me to fear God more than others.

Devotedly your pastor,

Bill Blanchard