If a preacher can't preach...

So I've had these overwhelming desires to start preaching again. I don't know where, when, how, or even what I would say really. Frankly, many times when I feel an urge to preach the opportunity just manages to present itself. I told Lisa that I might start looking into going places to preach with John and Curtis...camps, conferences, local retreats and what not. Her response (as expected) was simply to "behave" which means not to mention anything controversial from whatever pulpit is offered to me.

It's good advice actually...and I appreciate it...I know she only has my best interest in mind. I just wonder, if preachers can't preach now and days...who can? If a preacher is not willing to take a stand in a public venue and say something like "War is wrong...murder is wrong...materialistic selfishness is wrong" without fear of getting fired, or of pissing of the Republican, conservative, capitalist base of this country...then who will speak the truth?

True preachers have been dying all across this country for decades. Men (and women) who are willing to stand up and call a spade a spade regardless of what popular Christian opinion says. And I'm not talking about morality, gay marriage, prayer in schools, or any othe crappy half-assed issue that we in the American church beat like a dead horse. I'm talking about taking the dangerous and complicated issues of the Bible, slapping them in front of the face which much of modern tradition has ignored and say "what about this?" Speaking honestly, without fear of being outcast from the Christian community. I recognize some are doing it...and I am grateful for them...but it isn't it time for us to stop patronizing the ignorant (not uneducated people...actual ignorant people who chose not to know better) and force them to see the realities of God?

If a preacher can't preach...then who can?