Theology is speculative without some sense of practice. Liberation theology is the most practical of theological families. Yet, the practices most often employed are political and social in nature. I am a liberationist. I am also a pastor. How do the two aspects work together. Dutiful pastors are generalists and busy with many tasks. Some pastors believe their work is primarily the Sunday sermon. A good reason to think this way is due to the fact that is when we see the largest section of our congregations. I am tempted to separate my pastoral work and my social activism. But that is making a contradiction of my call. Pastoral liberation theology reduces these contradictions.
Shepherd Theology
“The Lord is my shepherd…” the psalmist prays. Jesus declares himself the “Good Shepherd” who lays down his life for the sheep. The sheep know his voice and follow him. (John 10) I used a strange word in a meeting one evening. We were debating how to move forward in our congregation’s relationship with the Boy Scouts. Being someone who was shaped by scouting, I struggled with the matter. But I told the committee that as pastor my job was to defend our congregation.
The hireling, Jesus says, runs away from the wolf. The true shepherd stands ready to engage the wolf. I am aware many churches see defending the congregation as one-dimensional. Lots of people ask me what security measures are in place at my church. Do we have armed guards?
Pastoral ministry is viewed by many as sacrificial feeding service. Yes, many sheep run away when the pastors are wounded. However, there is no confidence in leadership unless people feel leaders do not have their best interest in mind. The story never follows the priest and the Levite to worship. It follows the Samaritan to the inn.
Recognize the Reality of Alienation
Liberation theology understands the issue of alienation of labor. How many church members complain they work all the time and have nothing to show for it? My activism with the labor movement must be pastoral. In fact, all of my activism must be pastoral. Christianity recognizes the problem of alienation in two ways — separation from God and our neighbors. We speak of salvation as reconciling these two. But we often do not understand the reality of these separations.
Alienation leads to oppression. One form of oppression is abuse. Many pastoral leadership discussions on church growth discount the importance of pastoral care. This is a tragic mistake. Pastoral visitation can be a means of detecting and remedying elder abuse. It can open one’s eyes to how people work and live. If remedies to these situations are to be made, we must know the problem. It can be argued the community can do that. True. But whose word will carry moral weight?
Theology That Liberates
A theology that liberates must remain an open theology. We are always learning and discovering truth. The base communities of Latin America are groups of disciples who read the Bible together to speak to their context. Unlike, other forms of Bible reading, it does not seek to condemn. Rather, the communities ask, how do we set ourselves free? Once we recognize the problem — the greed of a few has manifested the reduction of all life to machinery which leads to destruction of the many — we are then able to see the reign of God is nothing like our experience.
God wants work to lead to human flourishing. This does not alienate humans from everything around them. It allows the flourishing of everything. Knowing what is bad lets us do what is good. Pastoral teaching and preaching then exposes people to the purposes God gives the people.
The Place of the Sacraments
A pastor is to administer the sacraments. Baptism expresses the end of alienation between God and neighbors declaring a new life has come. Holy Communion declares the death and resurrection of Christ by sharing in the gifts of creation and salvation. Communion also recognizes the reality of alienation, oppression, and suffering. Jesus suffered and died as many other humans do. Proponents of the death penalty often point out Jesus’ innocence was the difference. Yet, a child suffering from starvation is just as innocent. Jesus shares in the suffering too. Both sacraments declare the new being is an active advocate, counselor, comforter, and helper. We share in that Holy Spirit.
Pastoral Liberation Theology
Pastor please listen to your community. Know it and be part of it. Bring with you the reign of God. Love grace and mercy. And set your heart to defend the flock.
Much more can be said about all of the points made here. I hope to unpack more about it in the future.
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