We talk about all kinds of juicy, newsy things with friends at work or school. But not at church.
No. No. No. We can’t talk about that at church. Someone might get upset.
But the church’s avoidance of these hot topics is one of the very things that is driving people away from church participation today.
Some church leaders believe people today do not want to hear about Christian perspectives on today’s cultural issues. Research shows otherwise. Pollster George Barna and the American Culture & Faith Institute recently revealed a list of spicy things that church-goers say they want to grapple with at church. Take a look at some of the popular topics:
- Sexual identity
- Islam
- Abortion
- Law and order
- Poverty
- Religious persecution
- Bioethics
People want to talk about faith-full responses to the thorny issues of our time. But most church leaders constipate in fear when thinking about hot topics. I suppose that’s understandable, given that the discussion of these topics on talk shows often degenerates into ugly shouting matches. It’s true that our society is losing some prowess for civil discourse. But why not let the church help people grow in the art of civil, helpful, respectful conversation?
In our book Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore we note people’s desire for “fearless conversation” at church. And Lifetree Cafe locations across the country show how to engage people in civil, Christian conversation about tough issues. Let me share a bit of what we’ve learned about how to encourage fearless conversation–without self-immolation.
- Set expectations. Let people know these hot topics will be discussed in a respectful way, without anger, judgmentalism, sarcasm or snarkiness. Pray, together, for peaceful discourse.
- Make it conversational. Our research shows people today are less interested in being lectured. They want to ask questions, share their thoughts, and engage in some give-and-take.
- Don’t harangue. Sociologist Josh Packard writes in Church Refugees that people flee churches not because they may disagree with church teachings, but because they feel shut down by “know-it-all” leaders.
- Share scripture. And allow others to share their scripture selections. Let the Holy Spirit nudge individuals to interpret scripture and apply it to their lives.
- Keep the main thing the main thing. These hot topics, no matter how compelling, are not the main reason the church gathers. Everything should lead to a deepening relationship with Jesus.
We are called to be Jesus-centered. In all things.
We do talk about these things. I use an adult curriculum called “The Wired Word”. It seeks out current news and converts it to an adult Sunday School lesson. The discussions are pertinent and lively.
We do at my church, as well. Not all of them, but we wouldn’t shy away from any of them. As an urban church on the main drag, homelessness is a big issue for us, one we are continuing to address.
This is great; I too use “The Wired Word” and we talk to these topic. We don’t always get through them and have to carry the topic for two even three weeks.
Always some lively discussions with the Wired Word!
I agree with David Hall we talk about these things in our church as well. We do not make an effort to live in a bubble.
I once enjoyed the fresh approach of this blog but lately it seems unduly negative. There are some good churches still out there…really. We love love Jesus, and engage the world through the power of the Holy Spirit…really.
I am praying for you Thom. I know its easy to get discouraged. You have often have meaningful insight. How about a little encouragement for the rest of us bro?
Thanks, Kely. If these tough topics are being addressed well in your church, be affirmed. My article is directed toward those churches (the majority) that may need some help opening up some conversations. The study I cited in the article reveals that the majority of congregation members report that most of these topics are not being addressed in their churches.
Thanks for your prayers.
AMEN !!
The above Amen was meant for Kely Cochrane note .
6. Gird up your loins because some of what you hear come out of some churchgoers’ mouths is just as bigoted as what you hear in other places. You’ll need a strong constitution to wade through it patiently and gracefully.
Generally you can’t really speak your mind — unless you are politically very conservative. I’m referring to evangelical, strict-Bible-teaching churches. I generally keep my mouth shut as I hear fellow church members question Obama’s religion, birth place, etc etc etc. ( I’m one of those who happen to think Jesus would not be listening to Rush Limbaugh if he was walking the earth today ). Recently, at our home Bible study, I had to ask the leader privately to steer the conversation away from political viewpoints as we discussed a book ( When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself ). Church folks are just used to finding a common view point so I don’t blame them — but I told the leader if it gets political, I won’t be quiet. To me the book seemed, at some points, to be providing ammunition to those who want the poor to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. I’m afraid if you don’t fall into the expected side of the political spectrum, you risk being ostracized.
‘At Church’? Another cliche/bit of Christianese?
I think that we do talk about these issues but there is a tension surrounding this. I don’t mean tension as in conflict, although at times it does create a bit of conflict. Tension in the sense that we can’t avoid the “hot topics” of society but we need to address them truthfully and in love. Addressing them in truth and in love is where the tension comes in. However, if I am not experiencing some tension between these two domains, I would fear that I was leaning too far towards love, which could seem to be minimizing or too far in truth, which could seem to be judgmental. Keeping the tension just right can be difficult to navigate.
Broken, your response prompted me to think that these conversations are needed because it’s a good way to flesh out our faith and doctrines that we supposedly adhere to. Too often, people go to church, listen to a sermon that might delve into the practicalities of everyday life and attend a class that may just stay on the surface regurgitating what we believe, but very light on application. The issues named in the post and others are where the rubber meets the road of our faith and if we’re not talking about these things and thinking about them theologically at church, then when and where does it happen? Not all will think deeply about these things on their own. I think the Church has a unique opportunity to help people in this regard.
Funny…Jesus did not shy away from these topics..as a matter of fact they are peppered through out the New Testament.smile emoticon
The comments I am reading imply that there is more than one church built by Christ (i.e., “There are some good churches still out there…”). Yet Jesus said to Peter in reference to his confession: “…on this rock [the fact that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God] I will build My church [singular]” (Matt 16:18).
Secondly, sin is sin always has been and always will be. God does not change and the church of Christ no matter where it is in the world is still preaching against sin, encouraging “sinners” to be Christians instead.
Thank you for these very helpful suggestions about creating a framework for addressing hot topics at church. I have been in several church gatherings over the past few years where hot topics were discussed without specific guidelines in place. Those discussions devolved into sadness and pain with a side-serving of confusion and fear.
If I were leading another discussion of this type, I would write the “fearless conversation” guidelines out on a dry-erase board at the front of the room so that everyone would remember what we were trying to accomplish by addressing the hot topic issue in the first place.
In Australia there is a big move toward “Marriage Equality”, I have heard some ministers waffle on about this subject but after a half hour of nonsense have said nothing at all.
I was discussing this issue with our priest; my point was it is not about marriage equality (gay marriage) but do we accept the veracity of the scriptures???
I attended a service at another city recently where they were advertising the film “Gayby Baby”
a film promoting Gay families as being the new norm!!!
Personally I think that much of denominational church headship has lost its way. This new move to “Progressive Christianity” is as St. Paul would have it is just “Another Gospel”.
Progressive Christianity would be an interesting subject to take on.
One of the OT prophets made the comment, “The Priests were such because the people would have it so.” Parishioners need to be bold and speak up and speak out. As David Crosby said; “Speak out if you still can and you still care!!” Good on CSN&Y.
I am reminded of the Prophet Ezekiel discovering the little tunnel into the secret room of the temple where all manner of compromises and false worship were being practised. There is much for us to talk about and bring into the light.
If we are concerned about offending people then be reminded that Jesus said “Blessed is whom nothing shall offend”. People TAKE offence. I support this blog topic as we need to get over the fear of men and stop apologising for existing. Remember; the church hierarchy do not have a mandate on any subject in fact getting wealthy on church funds can often prevent a minister from taking any stand on any issue for fear of loosing a cushy well paid job.
The issue I see today is that there is a vast sickness called “Biblical Illiteracy” with modern Christians. Many I find have no idea about what is written in the OT and scant knowledge of the NT. If we watch any Christian TV in Australia the one and only sermon is about money and seed sowing. “Jesus make me a millionaire, make me filthy rich; being poor is no good in fact its quite a bitch.” This part of a new song I am writing and it is sung to jolly old tune.
Islam is an issue that should concern us today. There are more martyrs now than at St. Pauls day according to many scholars. Could it be that God will use Islam to discipline his church????? This would be consistent with the OT prophets. I hope not. I just want to live in peace with my good wife, drink some nice reds and play my Lute, Guitar and mandolin.
I agree with the article! However, I attend an excessively liberal start-up church of the sort that ‘coolmusings’ would be happy to attend. The suggested topics aren’t addressed, unless superficially. No, our start-up church dwells on such weighty issues as ‘Black lives matter’ and how to import more Syrian refugees! Like liberals, very feelings oriented.
The point is, we attend a broad spectrum of churches, and we are a broad spectrum of Christians. Even those who claim their churches to already be in touch with these issues, probably could improve. In my prison ministry, I used to like to bring these topics into various passages being taught, or selections from My Utmost for His Highest.
I would add a #6 to your fearless conversation points:
6) Let Scripture be your boundaries; keep the conversation within the limits set by the Bible. Everybody believes in some limits on human behavior, the just set their limits at different places. As Christ-followers we allow our limits to be set by the Bible.
Bwryt: I consider myself progressive/populist in the sense that when given a choice, I always go for what is in the interest of the common people. In any case, I hope these “discussions” are for after church, outside of church and that politics are kept out of preaching — I always want those to be Bible-based. Steve Simms: yes, but of course everyone interprets the Bible differently. I remember how some slave-owners in the 1800s were cherry-picking verses to justify owning slaves. In discussions I think we have to assume that intelligent, sincere Christians can agree to disagree on some things and not vilify those with differing views. We don’t want to follow the model of some Senators during the civil war who were beating the opposing members with canes when tempers flared. 🙂
Seems cool. Being a 12 Step group member, I find few people in Church that can talk openly about their emotional pain and their disappointment. It would be exciting to build connections where Scripture and feelings can be shared. People seem to be like zombies, not knowing how they feel. They can talk about what they don’t like, but have little idea about what they want. I love the work of Lifemodelworks.org .
There is another topic that is avoided in many church circles- the ministry and baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was asked to lead an adult Sunday School class a couple times. The class grew from five to thirty in a month then a spouse of the Sunday School leader came to sit in. She got up in the middle of the session yelling, “I do not have to take this”, and stormed out. I asked a church leader after the session what that was all about. He told me everything was bang on and not to worry about her. A week and a half later I was informed that I was no longer to allowed to teach. I asked why and I was told the senior pastor told him. I called the senior pastor and he claim that was not true and asked who told me. I told him and he verbally stumbled and retracted the claim that he did not know. He told me that as a non-member, I was not allowed to teach so I called the first person and told him that the solution was to join the church. He begged me not to. They had a round about, non confrontational way of avoiding the subject by kicking me out of THEIR church. Unfortunately, this is not the only time that I have been kicked out because I taught this subject. A gift from a special someone should be received with gratitude and joy but one has to question how special Jesus is to them if they avoid receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit from Him.
[…] perspectives on today’s cultural issues. Research shows otherwise. Pollster George Barna and the American Culture & Faith Institute recently revealed a list of spicy things that church-goers say they want to grapple with at church. […]
Are there any churches talking about domestic abuse?