The Word from Pastor Mark

In 2007 I celebrated 20 years of ordained ministry – 17 in the ELCA and 3 in the ELCIC Lutheran Church bodies. During this time I’ve held the belief that pastors are to both comfort and challenge congregations. The best compliment I’ve received from my church Mutual Ministry committee is that I “challenge them – their faith life” and that they both appreciate this and hope for this to continue. With that in mind I give you:
Preachers as Prophets (not profits).
Preachers, i.e., pastors, are called to speak a prophetic Word which “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.” Pastors have the responsibility to remain faithful in their theological studies, be competent in Biblical scholarship and if they be Lutherans such as myself they are to provide Word and Sacrament ministry to God’s people – as it says in the letter of call. Pastors are to balance the Word of comfort, solace and encouragement with the Word of challenge and questioning. As pastors, if we are to lead as sheep dogs (we reference Jesus as the Good Shepherd and so he is the only actual “shepherd”. As these sheep dogs of people we cannot shy away from the prophetic Word. Prophets normally end up disparaged, mocked, ridiculed and at best thrown out of town. Just because the Word may alienate us from others or bring about our unpopularity, is no reason to shy away from speaking the truth. It is recounted that John the Baptist spoke prophetically and preached a truthful word that cost him his life. Yet it’s his ministry that Jesus continues after John is executed. I hold true that pastors are called to preach the prophetic Word. This is most certainly true (Martin Luther).