The Pastor’s Pen By Rev. Joel Cochran The Chapel in Marlboro The Church’s Prophetic Voice Is the Church, meaning all churches collectively, supposed to have a prophetic voice? Is a local church – part of the Church collectively - to address personal and social ills and warn of the consequences? I think so. But it is not enough to proclaim the consequences of behavior. We who are the Church, each of us, should model the behavior that invites positive consequences. In other words, we should live what we proclaim. People desire to see that there are positive benefits to believing and obeying God – and they want to see it in our lives. 1 Peter 2:12 says, “Live such good lives among others that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” The prophetic voice of a local church is not merely words, but also works. Good ones. Your good deeds that help a community become healthier. Helping the community to have wholesome activities for kids; helping a community survive danger or recover from disaster. The prophetic voice includes not only sermons declaring the consequences for behavior, but deeds like building houses for the poor, feeding the hungry, providing sports leagues for the children (especially those who like sports but who are unable to compete in school), and caring for the one whose life is in a wrecked state. The prophetic voice is heard when in a lesson or sermon warnings are raised. It is also heard whenever members of the local church try to help a person rebuild a life or marriage; whenever a member of the local church volunteers to work with children and visit lonely widows and widowers who have few friends. The prophetic voice is heard not just when we move around in our familiar comfort zones, but when we move outside the comfort zones of our lives in an effort to help, encourage and bless others. It was Francis of Assisi who said, “Go into the world and preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.” I think the words of Francis fall a little short of our goal – which is to make Christ known among the nations. But his words certainly emphasize the importance of letting others see Christ’s redemptive grace at work in us. In our day, the prophetic voice of the local church is alarmed and issuing warnings against the unraveling of the moral fabric of society. We realize that the well-being of the next generation and the future prosperity of the nation may very well be at risk. People seem to not understand that behavior has consequences. They cannot live dishonestly today and expect everything to be all right tomorrow. We need to warn against careless livings, using the words of the scripture: “You will always harvest what you plant” (Galatians 6:7 – NLT). Along with this message, the prophetic voice of the Church needs to engage in redemptive activity, preventing destruction where it can and providing healing where it can. Yes, you need to do something to make your community a better place. It was Martin Luther King who said, “It is always the right time to do the right thing.” Let’s regain the prophetic voice. Proclaim the truth of the Bible, remind people of the consequences of choices. Long respected and time tested principles of morality need to be represented in our statements and in our conduct. Living these truths is necessary for our own peace of mind. Then ministering with compassion and love to those whose lives have been affected by tragedy; those who have made bad decisions and are hurting; and those who are abandoned by others would all contribute to … The Church’s prophetic voice.