Steve Gill (Loving the Scriptures)

Yesterday, I saw several posts which basically said, "If you're pastor didn't talk about Charlie Kirk, find a new church." While I can understand that people feel this is an important issue to address, it is patently unbiblical to make it a dividing line for determining the health of a church. This isn't the first time this kind of clamor has come about. Todd Starnes pulled this when President Trump was nearly assassinated during his 2024 campaign tour. He publicly stated that Christians should leave any church that did not address the shooting at the time. While many rightly rebuked Starnes, too many echoed his sentiments. Sadly, this same behavior has been repeated in the wake of Charlie Kirk's murder. Now, I will state that when culture-shaking events occur, they are certainly worthy of discussion; pastors would do well to find ways to address them with their congregations. Whether that be in a sermon, through counseling, emails, prayer meetings, or other means, finding ways to bring a biblical focus on such events is godly care on the part of the church. However, when it comes to preaching the word, no one has the right to determine what a pastor must preach on the Sunday following such a tragic event. Some pastors may elect to pause their current teachings to address the matter directly. Others may find application within that series, whereby they can bring light to the issue. Still others may believe the best way they can minister to the heart of their congregation is to proclaim the gospel through the already planned sermon, bringing the people to the foot of the cross, where we can all lay our burdens. The reality is that the church's primary duty is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ through the exegetical, verse-by-verse preaching of the Scriptures. And, if a church is doing exactly that, along with the necessary duties of communion, baptism, counseling, exhortation, and church discipline, they are demonstrating the marks of a biblical and healthy church. To add the requirement that a pastor must address high-profile tragedies is unbiblical and unwarranted. Do some churches avoid talking about these matters due to a lack of courage or because of compromised views? Absolutely. However, just because they did not mention Charlie Kirk by name or what happened this week is not proof of such courage in and of itself. Sadly, I am seeing that some persons are indeed suggesting that is the case. They simply do not have a biblical leg to stand on. Brethren, do not be discouraged if your church did not speak on Charlie Kirk. If your pastor extolled Christ, if he called you to the foot of the cross, if he poured over the Scriptures that he might strengthen you in your understanding of the word, and if he sought to equip and strengthen you that you might walk in uprightness in a dark and evil world, then you have a godly pastor who cares for your soul. Likewise, if you had a pastor who looked at the evil that occurred to Charlie Kirk and felt compelled to preach about the matter and bring the word to bear on it, then you had a pastor who loves his people and sought to guide them through a painful moment in time. Be encouraged that he sought to bring you comfort and peace through the preaching of the word. Pastors, preach the word in season and out of season. That is your calling. Equip, exhort, reprove, and rebuke those under your care that they may grow in holiness and humility. If you do these things, you will honor God and be a blessing to the body. Do not let the spirit of the age tell you what you must preach. Be a diligent servant of Christ, and your people will be blessed.

It is not wrong to feel righteous indignation right now. Be angry, but do not sin in your anger. Be ready to defend yourself and others, but trust your life and your future to Jesus Christ.