CREEDE HINSHAW: No thanks to patronizing advice to the clergy

I’m sure Mr. Nicholas G. Hahn III was trying to be helpful when this layperson scolded “the good men and women of the cloth” (Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2015), telling us to quit meddling in what he calls politics and stick to “spiritual leadership.”

What apparently galled Mr. Hahn is Pope Francis, who seems to be a particular problem with the Wall Street Journal (see also the April 21st issue where a different writer lectures the Pope for — gasp! — supporting care of the earth). What set off Mr. Hahn is that Pope Francis said in his Easter homily that he was praying that the Iran-United States nuclear negotiations might be a step toward a more secure and fraternal world.

Mr. Hahn obviously disagrees with the Obama Administration, which is clearly his right. But he crosses a line by his patronizing and illogical attempt to tell clergy what our job should be. His suggestion about sticking to spiritual leadership, whatever he thinks that means, is trite and shallow. One suspects Mr. Hahn wants to limit the preacher to picking the hymns for Sunday morning, singing “Jesus Loves Me” and saying the blessing over covered-dish dinners. Such a preacher would be an utterly harmless, non-controversial friend of all.

After displaying an incredible amount of nerve by helpfully instructing Pope Frances and all clergy how they are to go about their ministerial duties, Mr. Hahn admiringly mentioned the work of a conservative Hispanic Christian organization that supports his opposition to any potential Iran accord. A cursory investigation reveals that the executive director of this group is recognized as “one of the leading Christian pastors in the political arena.” Ah, the truth comes out! Mr. Hahn’s quibble isn’t with all preachers getting involved in the world; his complaint is only with those who get involved on the wrong side of his politics.

Sadly, there are plenty pastors living within the withering limitations suggested by Mr. Hahn: well-meaning persons who pray eloquently and pretend the outside world with its power and principalities doesn’t really exist.

Sooner or later every pastor who follows Jesus is going to “stop preaching and go to meddling.” Every preacher knows that “preaching” means pronouncing beautifully inspiring life lessons and moral prescriptions while “meddling” means bringing to challenging gospel to bear in somebody’s business. Keep up the meddling, Pope Francis! In the tradition of Moses, Jeremiah, John the Baptist and Jesus, bring the whole gospel to bear in God’s world.

As for the multitude who want to spiritualize the gospel and remove the shepherds of the flock from the world, Mr. Hahn unwittingly reveals the nonsense of such advice. With no diplomatic experience under his belt, Hahn clearly believes himself qualified to explain the finer points of diplomacy while, from the other side of his mouth, denying clergy the same right. Extending this curious internal logic to its conclusion, this Internet website editor should leave the matter of defining ministerial duty to those who know it best: the clergy themselves.

Creede Hinshaw, of Macon, is a retired Methodist minister.