Leadership Collective Podcast Bonus Episode - How Should Pastors Approach this Sunday in Light of the Brutal Assassination of Charlie Kirk?
Sep 13, 2025
Miles Debenedictus, a pastor from Escondido, California, shares strategies on guiding congregations through grief after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Rich Jones, a Hillsborough, Oregon pastor, emphasizes the importance of navigating challenging questions with compassion. They explore the role of prayer amidst tragedy and the church's responsibility to foster healing. The discussion also dives into the biblical perspective on managing anger, the quest for hope within societal brokenness, and the need for spiritual reflection during tumultuous times.
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Pivot Toward Corporate Prayer
- Do pivot Sunday programming toward corporate prayer when a traumatic event strikes your community.
- Separate people into small prayer groups to lament, intercede, and grieve together before teaching.
Resist The Urge To Always Preach
- Try not to rush into a sermon every time a crisis happens; sometimes the church needs prayer and presence.
- Let the Spirit minister through silence and prayer rather than forcing words from the stage.
Use Public Vigils To Gather The Community
- Invite civic and community leaders into corporate gatherings when appropriate to create a public space for communal lament.
- Use public vigils to welcome non-church people who need help processing grief.