This is a difficult one, because not everyone is able to understand what they
hear. A few years ago I said in a sermon that the doctrine of incarnation
means that there would be no theological objection to the possibility that
Jesus could have been married. Someone in the congregation immediately thought
that I had said that Jesus was married, but I had said nothing of the sort
(even though I personally believe it is likely that he was married, and I can
see no theological objection to it!). Instead of approaching me personally,
that person complained directly to my superintendant. He supported me when I
gave him my explanation, and one of that congregation also explained to the
complainer what I had really said, but it rather shook my faith in preaching.
What is the point if people misunderstand me whenever I try to say something
that is not quite in the box? As it happens, I had to give up preaching in
2017 because I was sharing in my father's care at home during his long and
cruel illness before he died 3 months ago. Now there are other pressures
stopping me from resuming preaching, but I can't say I'm happy about things,
and I cannot face any more hassle.
In fact, I've discovered that I can have a more effective ministry through
writing. I've written a book on the historical Jesus which is definitely
ground-breaking, and will soon be looking for a publisher. I also write poetry
and want to develop this activity.
Raymond Garfoot.
-----Original Message-----
From: John Barnett <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: methmins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sat, 7 Aug 2021 8:46
Subject: [methmins] Re: Prophetic Preaching v Pastoral Care
I can identify with this to a certain degree, although I have never felt that
the my congregations were made up of "egoistic people who have no
responsibilities other than those placed upon them by their self-absorption".
In my experience, people's greatest concerns usually seem to be about those
closest to them, rather than themselves. My pastoral knowledge of people's
situations has definitely affected my preaching, and there have been times when
I felt the need to word things very carefully so that certain people did not
feel they were being "got at". I think it is often easier for a visiting
preacher to be prophetic than someone who knows the folk well, although
sometimes the pastor, too, has to say hard things in love, just because he or
she is aware of what is going on in a congregation. I'm not in a pastoral role
now, but I've been in my present circuit long enough to get to know folk in the
churches to a greater or lesser degree, so I don't feel like a visitor any more
when I go out to a preaching appointment. I try not to beat congregations over
the head by talking all the time about what they ought to be doing. Rather I
try to share the insights I gain through prayer and study and try to help them
to get to know Jesus better. If I can to any degree achieve that, I can leave
it to Him to change hearts and minds and the way they relate to others and the
world. John Barnett
On 06 August 2021 at 14:34 Alan Sharp <alansharp26@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The Christian Century website has this interesting discussion between William
H. Willimon and Stanley Hauerwas, on whether Pastoral Care is softening the
prophetic voice in preaching:
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/interview/dangers-providing-pastoral-care
Alan
