Permission to Boast

Publish God’s glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everybody about the amazing things God does. Great is the Lord! God is most worthy of praise! – Psalm 96:3-4 (NLT, adapted)

I appreciate the virtue of modesty among believers and the humble desire of church supporters to shun anything that resembles self-promotion.

And I also understand that we live in a world of opposing ideals, differing perceptions, and clashing values. If the church is to remain viable in the national and global marketplaces of competing concepts, the church must be boldly resolute in declaring its message and proving its value to everyone, everywhere, at all times.

Bad news travels fast, even before good news decides to leave the house. Political justice campaigns aimed at serving and empowering the disenfranchised are barely promoted while the manipulations and obfuscations of demagogues consistently dominate center stage.

During the racial struggles of the 1960s, civil rights workers were wise enough to understand the pivotal role that television and media played in their efforts. The sights and sounds of people demonstrating and bleeding and dying for equality were crucial in changing the landscape of race relations in America.

The “Acts of the Apostles”—those who are dedicated to the divine vision of the Beloved Community—continue to this day. We have the receipts.

Workers’ rights and livable wages are still being championed. Accessible and affordable healthcare for all is still a top priority. Protection and preservation of the natural environment remain a major focus. The just and fair treatment of migrants is still a central concern. Freedom to marry who you love, express who you are, and read what feeds your mind are still at the top of our agenda.

Let’s put all of it on constant blast.

Prayer
Lord, what you’ve done for us and what you’re doing through us is worth boasting about. Amen.

About the Author
Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Decatur, Georgia.