Preaching Wisdom for a Polarized Age

We live in an increasingly polarized world—one where conversations quickly become confrontations, and divisions deepen by the day. How, then, can preachers navigate their role responsibly and compassionately, speaking truth without further alienating those they seek to guide?

In this insightful conversation, renowned preaching scholars Rev. Dr. Tom Long and Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara, together with Day1 host Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime, offer thoughtful guidance for preachers in these challenging times. They explore how pastors can courageously name injustice and evil without isolating or distancing themselves from their communities.

Drawing wisdom from theologian Ian Pitt-Watson and leadership insights from Nelson Mandela, Long and Alcántara reflect on preaching that is compassionate, humble, and deeply relational. Their conversation is both inspiring and deeply practical, encouraging all who lead faith communities to do so with grace and integrity.

Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime
The needs of our increasingly divisive, polarized world, which sets people into camps one against another, alongside the important gifts of naming the forces of evil. When we see them, how do you advise students of preaching and anyone generally? How do we hold both those things?

Rev. Dr. Tom Long
I think that's a complicated question. But I think one thing in response to that is that preachers, when they preach the word of God in ways that point out social injustice, must always communicate to the congregation that they're sitting in the pews with them and not just standing in the pulpit, proclaiming to them.

That the word of God applies to the preacher as well and exposes the brokenness in all of us.

The last thing I would want to give a congregation is my partisan political views. But the Kingdom of God is political, and it calls me to change, as well as the other hearers of the word.

Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara
I thought of something Ian Pitt-Watson said in his book, "Preaching: A Kind of Folly". He said, "So often, our failure as preachers is our failure as pastors, in disguise."

I'm saying that, in agreement with Tom, that perhaps we can use the pulpit as a bully pulpit. Sometimes we can use it as an excuse to be harsh with people.

What if our failure as preachers is our failure as pastors, in disguise?

In that case, yes, we're called to lead them. Yes, we're called to challenge them and bring them to places that might feel uncomfortable.

But in all of that, we're also supposed to be leading—yes, from the front, but also from the middle.

That's a Nelson Mandela term.

You can actually lead from the middle and help the sheep move forward as you're with them, rather than just in front of them.

So that's where my mind goes—to be a preacher in the 21st century, in a divisive age, in a polarized age.

Yes, it's to be an equal opportunity offender—that we should all be uncomfortable in some way, especially in a diverse society.

But it's also a call to be alongside people—to not preach in such a way that they sense that you're not actually with them, that you're pastoring them as you're leading them through it.

Reflecting on Our Call to Preach with Integrity and Compassion

Rev. Dr. Tom Long and Rev. Dr. Jared Alcántara remind us that preaching in polarized times demands more than mere words; it requires authentic presence and humility. Preachers are called not merely to speak boldly about social issues but also to demonstrate solidarity with their congregations, acknowledging that the Word of God exposes the brokenness in everyone—including the preacher.

This conversation challenges us to think critically about the role of preaching in our communities. Drawing from Ian Pitt-Watson’s insight that “our failure as preachers is our failure as pastors in disguise,” Alcántara invites us to reconsider our approach. Are we using our platforms to divide or unite? Are we truly leading our congregations, or just proclaiming from a safe distance?

Reflection Questions

• Am I preaching in a way that shows my solidarity with my congregation, or am I merely standing apart, proclaiming?
• Do I name injustice clearly yet compassionately, without turning my preaching into partisan speech?
• How might I practically demonstrate "leading from the middle" within my own ministry?

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