In the life of a pastor, it can be tempting to offer half-truths
that make everyone happy and the pastor popular. Speaking difficult
truths may anger or alienate church members, but authentic pastoral
care sometimes requires it. How can those in ministry speak
honestly in the inevitable awkward situations they face?
Here a wise and witty pastor-storyteller draws on his church life
experiences over the past twenty-five years--including sermons,
funerals, and board meetings--to offer nitty-gritty guidance on
handling the uncomfortable situations that all pastors face.
Utilizing humor and encouragement and speaking across
denominational lines, Frank Honeycutt examines a variety of
biblical contexts where the truth of Jesus is difficult to hear,
but direly needed--especially in settings where half-truths are the
norm. He shows pastors how to courageously speak the truth no
matter the risk or cost.
How to Speak Truthfully in Awkward Situations
In the life of a pastor, it can be tempting to offer half-truths
that make everyone happy. Speaking with holy candor can anger or
alienate church members, but authentic pastoral care sometimes
requires it. Pastor-storyteller Frank Honeycutt draws on his church
life experiences over the past twenty-five years to offer
nitty-gritty guidance on handling the inevitable awkward situations
that all pastors face.
"Frank Honeycutt is one of our most able pastoral theologians and a
master communicator of the faith. This fast-paced, engaging book
tackles subjects that we mainline Protestant Christians have
recently bypassed or neglected--subjects like sin, Satan, lying,
and truth telling--and discusses them against the backdrop of
Frank's generous theology of God's active, amazing grace."--Will
Willimon, author and bishop of the United Methodist Church,
Birmingham (Alabama) Area
"Finally, a book that addresses the dirty little secret of the
half-truths and untruths told by ministers to their members from
baptismal font to graveside. From a seasoned pastor willing to
expose his own struggles with integrity comes a book that provides
both scriptural backbone and practical instruction in pastoral
truth telling. This book has convicted me, taught me, and
encouraged me. And that's the truth."--Ron Luckey, pastor,
Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington, Kentucky
"Books that call for the rejection of half-truths and outright lies
are prone to be judgmental, insufficiently self-critical, and in
any case, deadly serious. Frank Honeycutt's wonderful book is none
of these. He reads the Bible with a novelist's attentiveness,
theological acumen, and a well-tuned sense of humor, directed first
of all at himself. Any book about 'speaking the truth in love'
(Ephesians 4:15) needs to make sure that it practices what it
commends; Honeycutt succeeds by preferring the winsome word to the
cudgel of correction."--John Hoffmeyer, The Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
"The Truth Shall Make You Odd is a book for clergy but also
for any Christian who wishes to delve into the complexities of
belief. Frank Honeycutt is a gifted writer and a man of immense
wisdom."--Ron Rash, novelist; Western Carolina
University
Introduction: Quivering Masses of Availability
Part 1
1. Reflections on the Father of Lies: The Devil
and All His Empty Promises
2. The Lie of Express Conversion: How the Savior Saves Us
Part 2
3. Honesty in Preaching: The Pulpit as Witness
Stand
4. Truth and Consequences in Pastoral Care: Daring to Speak the
Hard Word
5. Truthful Teaching: The Importance of Creative Catechesis for
Daily Discipleship
6. Death and Deceit: The Funeral Service and Holy Truth
Telling
7. Remaining in Ephesus: Speaking the Truth with Councils and
Vestries
Conclusion: Why Church Members Need More than a Chaplain Who
Cares
Frank G. Honeycutt (DMin, Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago), a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor for twenty-five years, is senior pastor of Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina. He is the author of many magazine articles and six books, including Preaching to Skeptics and Seekers and Sanctified Living.