Pastors

Wanna Become an Alien

When we were in seminary, we got the impression that our job as pastors was to help lessen the gap between the Bible and the “modern world.” Here was the Bible, mired in the first century. Here was the skeptical, critical modern world. The pastor, through preaching and various acts of pastoral ministry, labored to lessen the gap, to bring the gospel close to where modern Americans lived.

Since then I have come to the conclusion that today’s faithful pastor ought to clarify and accentuate the gap between the Bible and the modern world rather than lessen the gap.

Evangelism calls people, not to agreement, but to conversion, detoxification, the adoption of practices meant to save them from the deceits of the “modern world.” In churches, which have for so long called people to adjustment, we need pastors willing to call people to alienation.

It is important for the church as Christ’s witnesses to have something to say which is more interesting than what the world says. Give the world credit, one reason the world mostly ignores us is that we have so little to say that the world cannot hear as well elsewhere. When church becomes Rotary, church will lose because Rotary serves lunch and meets at a convenient hour of the week!

—William H. Willimon is dean of the chapel and professor of Christian ministry at Duke University.

1998 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or contact us.

Our Latest

Review

First Comes Sex, Then Comes Gender

A new book acknowledges both categories as biblically valid—but insists on ordering them properly.

In Politics, Contempt Is a Common Tongue

Antisemitic, racist texts show the need for spiritual and character renewal.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Stephen Enada: Exposing a Silent Slaughter

Unpacking the crisis facing Nigeria’s persecuted Church

News

Government Shutdown Deepens Hunger Crisis

When paychecks and SNAP distributions stop, the food pantry line grows.

Jonah in an Age of Outrage

The prophet’s lesson is also ours: We must recover compassion for neighbor and enemy alike, or our words will be hollow.

Grassroots Efforts Bring Together Diverse Sects in Iraq

Interfaith group uses projects and dialogues to push for greater religious freedom.

Becoming Part of God’s Family

Weekly participation in ordinary church life isn’t flashy, but it is radical.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube