Delano Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Delano, Loretto, Montrose, MN, and the surrounding area

Pastors’ Column – 08/17/09



There is a tendency among us Minnesotans to consider religion a private matter, something strictly between us and God.

We pray privately at home, and even in church, our worship is, in a sense, private – we speak to God and he speaks to us.

But typically, that’s where it ends. Very rarely do we speak to others about matters of faith. Either intentionally or unintentionally, when it comes to religion, our motto is: “mum’s the word!”

It’s not hard to understand how we came by this attitude. We live in a society where unsolicited religious conversation is frowned upon. In fact, some businesses have been forced to develop policies which regulate religious conversation on the job, because a few overeager church-goers have turned the office into a place to evangelize.

Without a doubt, talking about our faith can be done in a way that is out of place and unwelcome. It can be overdone. Yet none of this justifies the attitude: “mum’s the word!”

The writer of Psalm 66 gives us a clue about how to speak about matters of faith in a way that is appropriate. He says in Psalm 66:16, “Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he had done for me.”

No one considers it out of place to speak about a friend who did us a favor. Then, how can it be out of place to speak about God’s favors?

His protection while traveling, His beauty in creation, His gift of healthy, obedient children, and all His other favors to us are material for conversation. Not soapbox tirades, just casual conversation.

Let us remember to use the material which he has given, confident that he will never leave us with nothing to say.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

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