Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Conscience, Freedom of the Pulpit
+Rev. Reebee Kavich Girash, 9/18/25
In this moment of profound and swift cultural change, we are buffeted by strong winds. A few weeks ago the General Counsel of the UCC offered concern that houses of worship receiving federal grants for building security may be required to align with the principles of the current federal administration. (http://ucc.org/federal-grants-local-churches-must-review-and-understand-requirements/ ) While Pilgrim Church has not applied for such security grants, this letter from the national UCC stunned me. The broader risk pointed to by this memo is that of limiting the freedom of a local congregation to discern its beliefs, limiting a local congregation’s freedom to speak based on the faith held by those gathered, and limiting a preacher’s freedom to speak from their individual faith and conviction. As a Congregationalist, I’m worried. As a pastor in a tradition that affirms the freedom of the pulpit, I’m worried.
We saw a story unfold in the news this week that might feel totally unrelated to church business. It began with an awful event – and let me be clear that I condemn violence against anyone and mourn for all deaths from violence. This week that terrible and violent event quickly became the rationale for limiting free speech.
As a Congregationalist, I’m worried. As a pastor in a tradition that affirms the freedom of the pulpit, I’m worried.
In my years at Pilgrim this has been my steadfast practice: to never be partisan in my pastoral role, meaning that I never endorse candidates for public office and I respect that members of our community may vote differently from one another, according to our conscience. I hold to that principle even since the Johnson amendment has been set aside. I also believe deeply in speaking kindly whenever it is possible, and it’s always possible. But as a pastor and preacher, I balance a commitment to non-partisanship and kindness with the principle of Freedom of the Pulpit. Drawing on freedom of the pulpit as described in my call agreement and in the principles of the United Church Christ, in my sermons and my role, I prioritize regularly speaking on matters of the common good. Matters that are relevant to our lives beyond the walls of the congregation. Matters of the polis. Matters of politics. I speak to the church, not on behalf of the church. In the great wisdom of an ancestor, I seek to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.
I do this in the lineage of the greatest preacher and teacher that I know, whose preaching and teaching I aspire most to follow, preacher Jesus. Whose pulpit was the mount and the plain and the synagogue and the city gate, whose congregation included fellow Jews as well as Gentiles, the rich and poor, the hungry and well fed, whose sermons declared the radical notion that in the basileia of God no one starves. Whose sermons drew from the teachings of his ancestors in faith and whose sermons provoked the powers that were. Whose sermons today provoke the powers that be. It turns out that Jesus spoke on the common good, too. On matters of the polis. Jesus’ preaching was at times political.
I have, in my pastoral role over many years, preached politically. I have lifted up issues of great importance – homelessness and hunger, reproductive justice, gun violence. I have called upon communities to change oppressive systems. I have called upon local and national elected officials to act with wisdom and compassion and critiqued elected officials of multiple parties when their actions have shown primary allegiance to power and profit. And I will not stop. However, as a Congregationalist, I’m worried. As a pastor in a tradition that affirms the freedom of the pulpit, I’m worried. I’m worried that the day may come when my freedom of the pulpit is limited. The day may come when your freedom of assembly and protest is limited. Even so, we cannot stop speaking from our conscience, and working for the common good. Let wisdom and compassion guide our speech and actions, now and always.
Pastor Reebee
