According to a new comprehensive report released by the Barna Group, focused on religious freedom, 50 percent of pastors feel worried about speaking out on certain issues because they’re worried about offending people.
The report labelled Faith Leadership in a Divided Culture, is the culmination of four years of research examining clergy members’ views on matters of religious liberty.
“We wanted to know if pastors felt limited or pressured when it comes to speaking about controversial topics,” the report said in part.
“We found that Christian leaders believe discipling Christians around social issues is a critical part of their pastoral responsibility. However, when it comes to some issues in particular, pastors feel a level of sensitivity and pressure in how they approach those topics from the pulpit,” the report added
Barna found the issues pastors feel most pressured to speak out on are the same ones they feel limited to speak on, with LGBT issues and same-sex marriage at the top. Other issues were abortion, sexual morality and politics.
According to the report, most pastors said these pressures (69%) and limitations (64%) come from people inside their church.
“When asked to identify the source of the concerns, pastors are much more likely to say that they feel limited by those inside the church than those outside. In other words, the reactions of those in the pews are most on the minds of today’s pastors,” the report said.
More than nine in 10 Pastors told Barna they believe they have influence with their congregants when it comes to how they think about current issues in society (31% said “a lot” of influence, 60% “some” influence).
9 out of 10 Christian pastors said helping Christians have biblical beliefs about specific issues is a major part of their role as clergy.
While political engagement may not be at the top of their priority list, Barna research said pastors place a premium on discipleship when it comes to social issues.
Nine in 10 pastors (90%) said it is a major part of their role to help Christians have biblical beliefs about specific social issues. Just under three-quarters (72%) said helping Christians think well about culture in general is a major part of their job.
Speaking out on this report, Mr Roxanne Stone, Barna’s editor in chief said, “The pressure for leaders and especially faith leaders to satisfy everyone on all sides, and to avoid offense, is very real today, especially in the digital era.”
“The public nature of social media only increases the stakes,” Stone added.
“Today’s changing, pluralistic society requires a new kind of thinking and approach for Christians—who no longer hold a default majority worldview. In part, this requires a true reckoning with what laws are ‘those of the land’ and which are specific to our religious context,” Stone said.
As challenging as it may be, Mr Roxanne Stone explained that faith leaders must work to cultivate humility, discernment and courage in the midst of a divided culture.
“Pastors must be committed for the long haul, educating and equipping their people to respond with love and conviction, in word and deed. This, after all, is the essence of discipleship.” he said.
Photo credit: Rodney Ballard
