When being cool makes you ashamed of Jesus …

A few years ago I read a string of social media posts by a few ministers who were complaining about Christians consistently posting scripture and other Christian-type things online. They had better things to post about, and they actually stated they thought “cool” people posted “normal” things on their social media pages.

Yep, that was from ministers who thought they were too cool to talk about Jesus.

That wasn’t the first or last such post saying about the same thing from church leaders who are ashamed to speak of Christ in public. Oh, I know that sentence will bring an onslaught of excuses as to why they don’t talk of Christ in public, most of which is based on ramblings about how our culture doesn’t like it. But the truth behind those excuses is shame.

Of course, these were guys who think they’re cool because they meet today’s stereotype of the hipster preacher to a tee. But they really don’t know what cool is. In contrast, let me tell you about a really cool guy; a handsome man who women swooned over and men wanted to be like. A guy who fought off attacks of wild beasts, someone who defeated the big bad guy, a leader of warriors, an able musician, a writer of poetry, a valiant king, and a man after God’s own heart.

His name was David, and God hand-picked him to be king over Israel. What did this genuinely cool guy have to say about this issue of talking about God?

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces,” Psalm 34:1-5.

There’s another “man’s man” you might want to take note of in the New Testament. He was the greatest missionary and church planter in the early church. He faced more beatings and hardships than any hipster would ever have a nightmare about. His name was Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, who wrote much of the New Testament. What does he have to say about speaking about Christian things?

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes — the Jew first and also the Gentile,” Romans 1:16.

Is it any wonder we have a church in decline when some church leaders so elevate fear of culture to the point it silences their communication of Christ? That they think they are too cool to speak of Jesus? That they’re ashamed to share the Gospel?

Folks, if your church leaders are like this, don’t follow their example. Keep on posting your praises of the Lord!

Scotty