In This Season

Rev. Joshua Patty

Regional Minister and President

2025 is moving quickly along.  Over 90 ministers and I gathered at the Christian Conference Center for our Ministers Institute on joy in ministry and boundary training related to the ministerial code of ethics. It was good to be together, learning, supporting, praying, and affirming our calls to serve.

As new government terms begin, I’m mindful that our cultural climate, especially as evidenced by political discourse and action, is tense. Many dynamics complicate our ministries. This may be the most challenging season for ministry in over 25 years. As we strive to live out our callings as followers of Jesus, it can be hard to know exactly what we should say and do.

I was reminded of this when reading about the sermon, and various reactions to the sermon, by the Episcopal Bishop of Washington DC, Mariann Edgar Bugge. I admit that I have not heard the entire sermon. But all of the quotes I’ve read from it fall squarely into traditional Christian teachings, many of them explicitly attributed to Jesus himself. Many applauded the Bishop for “speaking truth to power,” though I suspect she was simply striving to live out her vocation. (My memory is that our previous General Minister included similar topics when she preached before a previous president 16 years ago.)

Many people have passionately reacted against the preacher, suggesting comments were out of place or worse. If good preaching “comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable,” I imagine that Bishop Bugge shared some things God wanted spoken.

I find the tone of the week troubling, though. All preachers are familiar with a spectrum of responses we receive, including complaints. Some comments from political leaders strike me as naked attempts at intimidation. I fear that all of us who strive to preach the Gospel will face pushback in this season. Some will be couched in talk that the church shouldn’t be political. Some will strongly suggest that there are lots of other topics in the Bible we should focus on. Some will emphatically insist that certain things in the Bible aren’t actually there and wrongly suggest, ‘Jesus never said that.’

Our calling is to speak and live God’s truth, imperfect vessels that we are. Sometimes we’ll be tempted (intimidated?) to be silent. Sometimes we’ll seek out the groups that agree with us, whether seeking comfort ourselves or out of fear. Like you, I’ll be faithfully working through prayer, study, conversation, and reflection to figure out when, where, how to do, write, and say things… and when to keep silent and still. I know that God is our strength. I trust that we preachers will find ways to support each other, especially when we’re faced with pushback and intimidation. And I trust we’ll do the same for those we counsel and shepherd and lead.

FYI - ALEX congregational reporting is scheduled to open February 3. This is a delay from the previously announced date. Resources should be available by Feb. 3 to help congregations submit their reports.  Please watch for more details.

Thank you to all who have submitted your standing renewal applications. The Executive Unit of our regional Committee on Ministry will review during the February meeting and then we’ll send letters.

Here is a helpful article on connecting with visitors (and the number of “touchpoints” connections take). It may be helpful to share this with other leaders in your congregation. (Yes, this is from a marketing perspective, but considering this information is valuable. I’m not advocating purchasing any related products and services.)