"Preaching to People in Pain" (Matthew D. Kim)

TITLE: Preaching to People in Pain: How Suffering Can Shape Your Sermons and Connect With Your Congregation
AUTHOR: Matthew D. Kim
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2021, (240 pages )
 

What type of sermons should pastors preach more of? Should it be more rah-rah "success-driven" high-fives or the more solemn sermons on pain and suffering? Arguing that success only happens to a minority while suffering is universal, author and professor Matthew Kim believes that sermons on suffering are more relevant for our world. Drawing from his pastoral and personal experience, this book shows us how we could walk with people in pain. Through the preaching of the Word, he models for us the way to "preach less pain-free sermons and to preach more pain-full sermons where preachers disclose their own su­ffering and pain." Designed more as a corrective rather than a directive, Kim is concerned about the way many pulpits celebrate sermons about success which in turn could lead to more individualism and materialism. He begins with his personal story that shapes his preaching narratives today. In pastoral ministry, he laments how pastors themselves experience rarely some care from their congregation members. Most care is unilateral from pastors outward. The same thing applies to seminary contexts where students expect their professors to constantly be at a top spiritual and emotional level. For both situations, the fact is that pastors and professors are human too. They need care as well. He shares about the pains some pastors go through. One was battling cancer. Another was going through a painful marriage. Still, another was experiencing unimaginable tragedy. Sadly, the culture we live in chooses to avoid instead of engaging. Suffering is ubiquitous, success is not. 

Kim shows us that Scripture contains plenty of examples of pain and suffering. Literature too. He then shows us the pitfalls of preaching on pain and reminds us of the need to discern both the Word and the people we serve. For one, some parishioners do not need another let-down after a week of stress and discouragement. Another risk is that parishioners might feel disheartened or disillusioned when even their highly regarded pastors could experience moments of weakness. Other dangers include the temptation to focus too much on self-pain or makes the sermons repetitive with the same story being told too frequently. He balances these with some benefits that come with self-disclosure of personal pain. This is augmented with a need to listen to the pain of the congregation. Kim provides some pastoral tips in terms of care and learning to preach in anticipation of future pain. Preach a love that is able to transcend earthly pain and suffering. The rest of the book helps preachers to strategize their sermons about pain. He shows us nine questions to ask when preparing such sermons. Questions about which passage; the unique pain described; how the Bible character dealt with it; how to relate to the listener; what the pain reveals about God; how God helps; and how we can show care and empathy. Part Two of the book covers six specific areas of pain: Decisions, Finances, Health, Losses, Relationships, and Sins. 

Each chapter describes the nature of the pain and how we could craft out a plan on tackling that. At the end of each chapter are discussion questions to accompany the themes described. Kim also provides a sample sermon to show us how the ideas described could be applied. The Appendix is a worksheet for understanding pain to give preachers a kickstart on preparing a curriculum for preaching sermons on pain. 

My Thoughts
I have just three letters to describe this book: WOW. Talking about pain over the pulpit seems so counter-cultural, even to Christians. I have seen how many people flock to megachurches, attracted either by a charismatic pastor or uplifting sermons. The common themes preached over many such pulpits are sermons about success, prosperity, and a feel-good atmosphere. People tend to embrace success while avoiding pain. They prefer positive words rather than negativity. They want good news delivered on a platter of triumphalism. Believing that Jesus has won the spiritual battle for good, they claim victory at all levels in the Name of Jesus. Theologically that is nothing wrong with that.  Jesus has won. Death has been defeated. The conclusion of Revelation shows us the victorious conclusion. However, time is not up to us to decide. We may not like pain but our liking does not necessarily prevent any future pain. Avoidance will not shield us. Only Jesus is our Refuge and Strength. 

Kim has given us an important resource to deal with a common problem. I remember how popular Philip Yancey observes the popularity of his own books. Of all the bestselling books he has written, the one that has captured the most hearts is his book on pain and suffering: "Disappointment with God." Pain may not be something we like to preach, but it is necessary. What we need to do is to learn how to discern the right time and moment to deliver such an emotional message. Thankfully, Kim gives us very practical tips on ensuring we are truthful to ourselves, our congregations, and especially to the Word of God. Pain is not everybody's cup of tea, but it is happening everywhere in this world. We are currently in one of the worst pandemics in history. This makes books like this even more important as pastors deal with the losses experienced by members who had caught the coronavirus, as well as to help people deal with the fears of catching Covid-19. Learning to hope for the best needs to be balanced with a desire to prepare for the worst. For Kim, he has written this book out from his own experience. This is something that pastors and preachers ought to prepare themselves too. I am glad that Kim has given us a treasure of tips and strategies to deal with this immensely important and relevant topic. Don't wait until the suffering before getting this book. Get it now to help us prepare ourselves and our congregations for the worse. Remember that before the victory in Revelation, there is Tribulation?

Dr. Matthew Kim is the George F. Bennett Professor of Preaching and Practical Theology at Gordon-Conwell. Before joining the faculty in 2012, Dr. Kim brought over 10 years of preaching and teaching experience to his role at Gordon-Conwell. Most recently, he served as senior pastor of Logos Central Chapel in Denver, Colorado.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.