Some questions and topics come with simple yes or no answers. This is not one of them. For many, the obvious answer is yes, but that is not true all the time. With the idea of pastors addressing current events and issues, there will be times when the pastor should speak, but also times when they shouldn’t. That may not seem like a definitive answer, but hopefully, by the time you finish reading, it will make more sense to you.
There is a delicate balance and fine line that pastors must walk, and there are some good reasons for pastors to address current events and some good reasons for them not to. I will give you reasons for both.
Here are 4 reasons pastors should address current events and issues:
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1. The congregation is talking about them anyway.
1. The congregation is talking about them anyway.
There is one thing I've discovered from being around church folks. When something happens in the world, whether it’s a current event, a social issue, or a major headline, you can bet they are talking about it. Now, that doesn’t always mean they are bringing it up with the pastor, the elders, or leaders in the church, but the conversations are happening. Whether they are inside the church or somewhere else, people are talking about current events. When things happen, it is not unusual for people to want to talk about them.
As Christians, we live in the world, and naturally, the events of the world affect us. When they do, some look for relief by talking to others. Some need conversation because they are wrestling with these issues, while others look to share their thoughts with someone because they are trying to make sense of it all. Since the congregation is talking about current events and issues (trust me, they are), the pastor needs to consider how they will talk about them, too.
2. Some people need to hear the reassuring voice of the pastor.
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! - Proverbs 15:23 (NLT)
When a pastor decides not to address current issues, it can leave some people in the congregation feeling like the pastor is out of touch—not just with society, but with what’s happening in their own lives. Even if it’s not intentional, this can create a sense of distance or alienation.
When major events or issues unfold, they stir up feelings and emotions that naturally take root within people’s hearts and minds. In those moments, many look to their church and their pastor for guidance, reassurance, or even just acknowledgment. They want to know the pastor is aware of what happened and recognizes how they might be feeling. Imagine the disappointment that sets in if the pastor says nothing at all. That’s why these moments are serious, and pastors should not miss these opportunities.
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3. They need to provide Biblical perspective.
3. They need to provide Biblical perspective.
While the congregation is talking about current events and issues, they are not all saying or feeling the same thing. Conversations like these can quickly derail, with people getting caught up in their own opinions or going off in a hundred different directions. That’s where the role of a pastor becomes so critical. When a pastor addresses these issues, the goal should never be to take sides or fuel the division. Instead, the mission is to refocus the congregation towards a Biblical perspective.
When Scripture becomes the focal point, it changes perspective and helps people see the world through the proper lens. Hopefully, this will help them rise above the noise and keep their hearts and minds anchored in God’s word.
4. The pastor needs to combat the voices they are listening to.
As much as people are talking, they are listening too. People are taking in information from all kinds of sources. Whether it’s mainstream media, social media, podcasts, or even articles they are reading, they are being bombarded with voices. These voices are constantly pouring opinions and perspectives into their minds. With so many sources out there, how do you know if what they are hearing is really true? Even more important, what’s the perspective behind the information they are receiving? Is it aligned with Scripture, or is it pulling them away from Biblical truth?
When a pastor addresses current events and issues, it is an opportunity to give counterpoints and combat some things their congregants may be listening to. In a crowded world with many voices, we need the voices of pastors speaking Biblical truth with grace and love more than ever.
Next, here are 3 reasons pastors should NOT address current events and issues:
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1. They are not an expert on every current event or issue.
1. They are not an expert on every current event or issue.
While it is appropriate to expect spiritual guidance from your pastor, and for them to be knowledgeable, that does not make them an expert on every subject. Pastors may not have time to be up to speed on every current event or issue. Just because you follow an issue closely or are very passionate about it, that does not mean your pastor shares the same passion or awareness.
The volume of work required to be a pastor means there are times they may not be aware of everything that is happening. I will even add sometimes, to be an effective pastor, there are times you need to shut out the noise to hear what God is saying to you. So don’t be shocked if you ask your pastor, “Did you hear about this?” and they give you a blank look because they have no idea what you are talking about.
2. They might do more harm than good.
Sometimes, in trying to do good, you might actually do more harm. This is especially true when pastors are trying to address divisive issues. With any issue, divisive or not, you must approach these things with a delicate hand because if you don’t, you can offend people without it being the intent. A friend of mine went to his church one Sunday, and the pastor made a political statement from the front of the church that he thought everyone would agree with. Unfortunately, he was wrong. My friend, a member of that church, was so offended by the pastor's statement that it made him question if he belonged in that church. (I know you are wondering what the pastor said, but that is not relevant to this conversation.)
That’s why trying to address current events and issues can be risky. People may see things from a different perspective, and the last thing you want to do is lose or offend someone over something like this. While we can be dogmatic over black-and-white doctrinal issues, sometimes current events and issues fall in the gray area, which means there is a wide variety of valid opinions. Not recognizing this can cause harm to your congregation. By the way, my friend ended up leaving that church.
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3. They may not have flushed out their own thoughts on the matter.
3. They may not have flushed out their own thoughts on the matter.
Sometimes we forget pastors are human, just like the rest of us. They experience the same emotions and may even wrestle with the same questions or uncertainty we do. Not every issue has a straightforward answer, and sometimes pastors need time to think, pray, and dig into Scripture to find the right response. They should do this before they speak, not after. That’s not a lack of leadership, that’s wisdom.
If a pastor hasn’t fully settled on how to address an issue, it’s better to pause and wait than to speak prematurely. Rushing to say something just because they feel pressure to do so can lead to long-term consequences, especially if their perspective evolves or new understanding comes to light. Silence does not mean they are avoiding the issue. Sometimes it’s a sign of a pastor’s commitment to saying the right thing rather than just saying anything.
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. - Proverbs 13:3
Lastly, the following 2 points are things to consider if you decide to address current events and issues. I want to speak directly to pastors. If you decide to address the issue, then take to heart these two small pieces of advice:
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1. Don’t tell people what to do, tell them how to think.
1. Don’t tell people what to do, tell them how to think.
When you address current issues, how you address them is just as important as the issue you address. Because many current events and issues can trigger intense emotions, you must be mindful of this before you address the topic. This requires grace and wisdom to do this properly. A simple example of this is if you address a political issue. If you make the wrong political statement to your church, you risk losing part of your congregation (remember my friend). That’s why your job as the pastor should not be to tell people how they should feel about these issues (this was part of what offended my friend), or even what to do. Your job as the pastor should be to teach people how to think about these issues. The thinking should not be in alignment with how you think or feel about it. It should be in alignment with what God says about it in his Word.
While you are going to have personal feelings about these things, sharing them may not always be in the best interest of those you are teaching. You must judge that carefully. If you teach people Biblical truth, and help them learn how to think Biblically, then hopefully that will help them develop a Biblical worldview. That’s why the further you get away from the emotions of it all, the better chance you have of getting people to focus on how to think. This is another reason your job as a pastor is so challenging, but I’m sure I am not telling you anything you don’t already know.
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2. Be sure to address it in the right forum.
2. Be sure to address it in the right forum.
Addressing issues does not always mean you must stand in the pulpit on a Sunday morning and discuss the current events of the day. That may not always be appropriate, even though I heard of a pastor who would spend ten minutes before his sermon talking about the current events of the past week. While the pulpit may be necessary to talk about some things, it is not always the best place to talk about everything. One simple reason is because of what you may talk about. You may want feedback or even questions from the audience, and Sunday mornings might not be the ideal time for this.
If you are going to do this, choosing your delivery forum is critical because you want to give the people the greatest chance of hearing what you have to say. However, you also want to know how they think and feel about the issue.
Final thought (to pastors).
Whether you speak or don’t speak, you are most likely not going to please everyone in your congregation, and you should not try to. To speak or not to speak is always a valid question, but as I stated at the beginning, the answer is not always so simple. However, with everything, pray and follow God’s leading to know if you should address whatever the current event or issue is. If he says to address it, then ask for wisdom to know what the correct forum is to address it in.
These are critical choices, and you must always approach them with the care of the congregation in mind. That is the heart of the shepherd, and when you approach God with this heart, I can assure you he won’t steer you wrong.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
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Originally published December 13, 2024.
