A Pastoral Reflection Following the Death of Charlie Kirk
This is my attempt to capture and share my personal pastoral responses and prayers in the days following Charlie Kirk’s assassination. I do not attempt to address every issue that attends the events leading up to and following his death. My hope and prayer is that you will take time to reflect in quiet, without the outpouring of words and reactions on television and social media.
The first thing that struck me as the events unfolded following Charlie Kirk’s assassination is the fact that over the last several years many believers have been praying that God would send revival to our country in these days. I found it quite interesting that several of the speakers at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service referenced the hope of revival. I join with those who hope that we may see the beginning stirrings of an answer to those prayers. Only time and lasting fruit will tell if we will see a genuine spiritual awakening in our time.
This is the most important response we can have to his death: to pray for a deep and widespread spiritual awakening beginning in the church.
The characteristics of spiritual awakening have been examined and addressed by many, but one which has shaped my understanding is Iain H. Murray’s Revival and Revivalism: the Making and Marring of American Evangelicalism 1750-1858, (Banner of Truth Trust, July 1, 1994). Murray superbly chronicled the reality of true, heaven-sent revival in contrast to the belief that revival could be generated by following certain methodologies. If we hope and pray for spiritual awakening we must be aware of the danger that the gospel will be corrupted and co-opted as a means to another end.*
So, gracious Lord, send your true word and cause it to bear much fruit by the power of your Spirit. Sort out truth from the error. Give your church, especially your pastors, great courage.
Second, I realize that in the flood of words in the media since Charlie Kirk’s death some of my fellow pastors have chosen to hold back, to offer no comment. But it is my conviction this event has created a level of national conversation that pastors have a duty to join for the sake of their parishioners. We always have a duty to speak, to dialog gently, to teach and to offer pastoral wisdom and care to those whose spiritual well-being is entrusted to us. I believe this is especially true given the overt profession of faith in Christ and courage that Charlie Kirk demonstrated.
Lord, may we not be cowardly, unwilling to be misunderstood, unwilling to be labeled or ashamed of the gospel as we speak with our neighbors and congregations.
Third, it occurs to me that this is a unique moment and opportunity for us as pastors to teach our churches that being a faithful witness for Christ in a hostile, secular society is dangerous. That is just as Jesus promised it would be. It also gives us the opportunity to check in on how comfortable we are with the world, and how much we fear not being accepted by the world.
Fourth, what gives me hope. The speakers at Charlie Kirk’s memorial service, person after person, known and unknown, were emboldened by his death to speak of their personal trust in Christ. Several articulated their faith with a surprisingly clear grasp of the gospel, even appealing to the hearers to respond to Jesus’ saving grace. It was hopeful and surprising to hear in that highly charged atmosphere, that while seeking its renewal, politics and government are not the answer. Christ is.**
Including his dear widow’s courageous speech, her husband’s memorial service gave the world more gospel, more attention given to the gospel, more reference to Christ as the wondrous Author of salvation, than anything we have seen in decades. Charlie Kirk chose to speak into the culture courageously, and even audaciously, with great respect and restraint and to enter the arena of politics, driven by his faith.
Father in heaven, I pray that you would multiply the number believers who will be emboldened to enter the public, private and social sectors with grace, joy, and gospel hope that wins the lost and expands your kingdom greatly.
Give supernatural comfort to Erika Kirk, their children, family, friends and coworkers. May it be that the testimony and witness of his life will stir and awaken countless lives. Amen.
* See Michael Gerson’s essay “America” in Defiant Hope, with which I have some small quibbles, but is an excellent overview of the major forces that shaped the mindset of America.
** To be sure there were voices in that space that did not rise to this level. But the overwhelming majority of the speakers was of this mind even among those whose calling is to serve in government.
