The article discusses the priorities for mainline ministers in 2024-25, highlighting immigration, Christian nationalism, and democracy as key sermon topics. Based on a national survey of U.S. mainline Protestant clergy, it underscores the necessity for prophetic courage in addressing these interconnected issues.
The research gathered over 7,000 responses, revealing a progressive tilt among respondents, with 64% discussing democracy, 62% addressing immigration, and 57% preaching on Christian nationalism. These issues often overlap, with many clergy preaching on all three themes concurrently.
The article explores how the erosion of democracy, the rise of Christian nationalism, and harsh immigration policies intertwine, emphasizing that defending human dignity and minority rights is essential. It notes that since the 2021 attempted coup, the need for clergy to engage in political and social issues has intensified.
Additionally, it discusses the implications of recent scandals, such as the suppression of a CBS segment about immigrant torture, framing these events within the context of the biblical Slaughter of the Innocents. The article calls for ministers to leverage biblical teachings advocating for the vulnerable and to resist the fusion of religious and political power, thus encouraging a collective response to these moral crises.
Key scriptural references support these themes, insisting that hospitality to immigrants and the fight against oppression are integral to Christian teaching. Overall, the article encourages clergy to be vocal about these overlapping challenges, reinforcing their commitment to justice, accountability, and community responsibility.
