What about you?

I wonder, what are the members of your church doing to follow Jesus….a sobering and needed perspective? Do Christians even look at what is happening in our world? How do we as a country treat the poor, our children, the elderly and disabled? Do we vote in the people who will honor Jesus’ command to treat all our neighbors….all of them….as themselves?

This unwavering example of Jesus places upon all Christian ministers the duty to resist the temptation to side with any secular ruling power that exploits and oppresses those they were supposed to serve, keeping in mind Jesus’ option for the poor. I do believe Jesus demands of us to oppose hunger, violence, exploitation, oppression….mistreatment of anyone for any reason. Anything less dishonors Jesus, his mission and the death he willingly died for us.

I read somewhere that it is true that pastors are called to comfort the afflicted, but they also have the duty “to afflict the comfortable.” Didn’t Jesus do just that? We are called to bring good news to the poor and deliverance to the oppressed, not to kow-tow to the wealthy and powerful! Not an easy thing to do at times, particularly with the budget crunch of these economic times. Every time I read scripture when I was serving my churches, I would try to bring Jesus’ words to today’s world and then try to determine what he would say to my congregation.

Believe me, it wasn’t easy at times. But I was not called to be loved, but to serve God and bring Jesus’ word to the church. Hmmm, it wasn't easy at times.

I attended a workshop with ministers and priests from a variety of Christian denominations. As we talked, I learned that most of them were fearful of giving the sermon they felt their congregations needed to hear…..lose their job or lose contributions, they said. What about you?
from http://www.churchpowerpoint.com/C_Pentecost_13_Luke_13.html