Reflections on the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
Dear Wellspring Family,
More than a couple of you have reached out to me to ask me what my thoughts are about the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk last week (September 10). Some wondered why I didn't pray for his widow and children by name during last Sunday's service. Some were clearly disappointed that I did not have more to say or pray about this matter. And, I suspect that some were clearly relieved that I did not delve more deeply into this matter. Such is life in a congregation that reflects some of the intense polarization of our nation at this hour in our history. But now, in this forum, I have felt led to share my thoughts on this matter; first, some general principles and then some specifics.
General Principles: First of all, I take VERY seriously anything that I say publicly from the platform on a Sunday morning. I NEVER take that lightly, and I ALWAYS seek to be sure that what I say from the platform represents Jesus and the Kingdom; that it is edifying; and that it NOT simply be a matter of my opinion. I don't always meet that bar, but I don't ever want to lower that standard.
Secondly, I am very aware that we are a very diverse congregation politically. I perceive that to be a strength. Whether it is or isn't, it is a reality. That means that on any sensitive topic that touches upon current political debate, anything that I say must be clear and worth saying. This takes time. My experience is that even when I have taken great care to craft and fashion a statement that speaks to a current societal issue, and I feel that I have done a good job — almost 100% of the time I get blowback from folks who either didn't understand what I was saying, or who disagree with what I said, or who don't think I said enough, or who thought I said too little. I try not to let this keep me from speaking on matters that a shepherd needs to address with his/her flock. But every time I do speak to a current event or issue I seek clear guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit as to whether and what I should say.
Thirdly, I don't ever want to speak from the platform on an important current event or issue and say something banal. To say something empty or trite or giving mere lip service to some weighty truth in the face of an event or issue that demands a response is WORSE than saying nothing at all. I have tried throughout my ministry never to commerce in empty banalities.
Specific Considerations in this Moment: As to the assassination of Mr. Kirk and my response to it from the platform, here is a window into my process.
First of all, I had never really heard of Charlie Kirk prior to his death. I knew nothing of Turning Point USA, the organization which he led. I did not know of his campus events and rallies. I did not know that he was a Christian believer and that he sought to operate both as a political influencer and as an evangelist. I guess that is what happens when one is 72 years old and the public figure is 31. I also have not done a deep dive into videos of Mr. Kirk's speeches or interactions with students on university campuses. In the past week I have seen a few clips on the evening news that Debbie and I regularly watch and read a few commentary responses online. I also, of course, have seen the responses to this tragic and senseless murder on social media. These posts and comments, of course, cover the spectrum.
Secondly, what little I have seen and read make it clear to me that it is accurate to portray Charlie Kirk's death as an assassination. He was killed for his beliefs and, one would have to say for his effectiveness in conveying those beliefs. I preached a sermon several months ago that touched on our current societal/political milieu. In that sermon I had some strong things to say about the inevitability of dehumanizing language leading to violence against those with whom one disagrees. It seems clear to me we have just experienced this in Charlie Kirk's assassination. As an American, I am a FIRM BELIEVER in the 1st Amendment, which enshrines our rights to freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the freedom to peaceable assembly. What we experienced last week was an attempt to assassinate both an individual and the 1st Amendment.
As I have already stated, I do not know much of the content or the tone of Mr. Kirk's message. But I do know that his killing was an attack upon our democratic process. I am old enough to have lived through the watershed year of 1968. The assassinations of Dr. King and Senator Robert F Kennedy were similar attacks upon the entire nation. I have often grieved over the years the loss of these two voices and their influence. How different our nation would have been had these very public sins not been committed.
Thirdly, I was (and still am) astonished at the global response to this man's death. Massive spontaneous and hastily announced prayer vigils and memorials have taken place across our nation and all over the world! This really caught my attention. I have learned over the years to take note of this kind of response, especially when it involves a Christian. I have learned to ask, "Lord what is up? Lord, what are you saying through this? Lord, what do I need to pay attention to here?" So, late last week, leading into Sunday, I kept pressing into the Lord for wisdom and direction. I wanted to hear from the Holy Spirit about any guidance He might give me regarding how to lead a corporate response from the platform on Sunday, 9/14. I really did not receive any direction.
Fourthly, lacking specific direction, I came to the tentative conclusion that I would not respond publicly to this tragic happening. I was not completely comfortable about that. But, as stated above, I do not like to respond to high-profile public events/matters without clear direction. And, I know that to do so would take time from an already crowded Sunday morning. The Elders had a rather lengthy announcement to make about my plans for retirement. And I knew that we had planned a major initiative for praying for family and friends to come to the Lord that involved the congregation filling out prayer cards and bringing them to the altar. The morning was already packed. How could we give proper attention to such a weighty and (potentially) polarizing statement in a moment or two? (Just think how long it has taken you to read this article--if indeed you have hung in there to this point!) So, since I had no specific direction, I was prepared to not say anything. But I was still unsettled.
Fifthly, and here is where we come to the good part: the Holy Spirit led us in our response to this tragic event! During the worship time this past Sunday, one of our worship leaders was prompted to deliver an utterance in tongues. This was the spiritual gift at work in our corporate setting, as we read about in I Corinthians 12-14. My spirit was immediately alerted that God was up to something. Next Katrisha shifted gears into delivering an interpretation of the message that she had delivered in tongues. One directive in the interpretation stood out to me, as if highlighted in neon lights: "Pray for the nation!" I felt like the Lord was answering my earlier prayers for guidance and direction. I immediately grabbed the mic and went up to the platform to lead us in a corporate prayer for our nation at this incredibly momentous crossroads.
Sixthly, I want to encourage you to not overlook this directive from the Lord: "Pray for the nation!" This is such a critical hour! We could descend further into polarized divisions. We could see violent rhetoric and bloodshed escalate. We could see the fabric of our social order ripped beyond mending. Or, in the midst of all of our problems we could see a major move of God! I have been hearing for months now of the beginnings of a major Christian spiritual awakening across university campuses and amongst Generation Z in our country. In the past week I have heard of these stirrings increasing. "Pray for the nation" is a directive and an on-ramp for all of us! Let me encourage you not to waste your prayers on your own political perspectives. Elevate them to Kingdom concerns and Kingdom opportunities. Pray for a major move of evangelism amongst students and young adults that leads to a harvest of souls. Pray for an awakening to renew the church at this critical hour. Pray for wisdom for Christian leaders to know how to respond and how to lead. Pray for God's Kingdom to come and for God's will to be done in our beloved nation at this critical season. Especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of the birth of this country which is so precious to God's heart. Pray the lyrics of one of our national hymns (America the Beautiful): "America! America! God shed his grace on thee . . . God mend thy every flaw . . . God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!"
Next Tuesday, 9/23, begins the 10 Days of Prayer for 2025. Wellspring will kick off this observance at South Church in Hartford at 277 Main Street at 7:00 PM. Prayer in all 50 state capitals will be observed for the 10 Days, including Hartford. There will be nightly gatherings at 7:00 PM at South Church. Then, from October 9-12, there will be a major Christian gathering of worship, prayer and public gospel proclamation on the National Mall in Washington around the clock over those four days. It will culminate in an observance of communion at a table which will extend the entire length of the National Mall. Go to: https://awakenthedawn.com/communionamerica/ for details. I am planning to be in DC for that entire time. God is up to something BIG in our nation in this hour! God's word to Wellspring in this hour is this: "Pray for the nation!"
Thanks for allowing me to share these thoughts with you.
Pastor Rick
More than a couple of you have reached out to me to ask me what my thoughts are about the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk last week (September 10). Some wondered why I didn't pray for his widow and children by name during last Sunday's service. Some were clearly disappointed that I did not have more to say or pray about this matter. And, I suspect that some were clearly relieved that I did not delve more deeply into this matter. Such is life in a congregation that reflects some of the intense polarization of our nation at this hour in our history. But now, in this forum, I have felt led to share my thoughts on this matter; first, some general principles and then some specifics.
General Principles: First of all, I take VERY seriously anything that I say publicly from the platform on a Sunday morning. I NEVER take that lightly, and I ALWAYS seek to be sure that what I say from the platform represents Jesus and the Kingdom; that it is edifying; and that it NOT simply be a matter of my opinion. I don't always meet that bar, but I don't ever want to lower that standard.
Secondly, I am very aware that we are a very diverse congregation politically. I perceive that to be a strength. Whether it is or isn't, it is a reality. That means that on any sensitive topic that touches upon current political debate, anything that I say must be clear and worth saying. This takes time. My experience is that even when I have taken great care to craft and fashion a statement that speaks to a current societal issue, and I feel that I have done a good job — almost 100% of the time I get blowback from folks who either didn't understand what I was saying, or who disagree with what I said, or who don't think I said enough, or who thought I said too little. I try not to let this keep me from speaking on matters that a shepherd needs to address with his/her flock. But every time I do speak to a current event or issue I seek clear guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit as to whether and what I should say.
Thirdly, I don't ever want to speak from the platform on an important current event or issue and say something banal. To say something empty or trite or giving mere lip service to some weighty truth in the face of an event or issue that demands a response is WORSE than saying nothing at all. I have tried throughout my ministry never to commerce in empty banalities.
Specific Considerations in this Moment: As to the assassination of Mr. Kirk and my response to it from the platform, here is a window into my process.
First of all, I had never really heard of Charlie Kirk prior to his death. I knew nothing of Turning Point USA, the organization which he led. I did not know of his campus events and rallies. I did not know that he was a Christian believer and that he sought to operate both as a political influencer and as an evangelist. I guess that is what happens when one is 72 years old and the public figure is 31. I also have not done a deep dive into videos of Mr. Kirk's speeches or interactions with students on university campuses. In the past week I have seen a few clips on the evening news that Debbie and I regularly watch and read a few commentary responses online. I also, of course, have seen the responses to this tragic and senseless murder on social media. These posts and comments, of course, cover the spectrum.
Secondly, what little I have seen and read make it clear to me that it is accurate to portray Charlie Kirk's death as an assassination. He was killed for his beliefs and, one would have to say for his effectiveness in conveying those beliefs. I preached a sermon several months ago that touched on our current societal/political milieu. In that sermon I had some strong things to say about the inevitability of dehumanizing language leading to violence against those with whom one disagrees. It seems clear to me we have just experienced this in Charlie Kirk's assassination. As an American, I am a FIRM BELIEVER in the 1st Amendment, which enshrines our rights to freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the freedom to peaceable assembly. What we experienced last week was an attempt to assassinate both an individual and the 1st Amendment.
As I have already stated, I do not know much of the content or the tone of Mr. Kirk's message. But I do know that his killing was an attack upon our democratic process. I am old enough to have lived through the watershed year of 1968. The assassinations of Dr. King and Senator Robert F Kennedy were similar attacks upon the entire nation. I have often grieved over the years the loss of these two voices and their influence. How different our nation would have been had these very public sins not been committed.
Thirdly, I was (and still am) astonished at the global response to this man's death. Massive spontaneous and hastily announced prayer vigils and memorials have taken place across our nation and all over the world! This really caught my attention. I have learned over the years to take note of this kind of response, especially when it involves a Christian. I have learned to ask, "Lord what is up? Lord, what are you saying through this? Lord, what do I need to pay attention to here?" So, late last week, leading into Sunday, I kept pressing into the Lord for wisdom and direction. I wanted to hear from the Holy Spirit about any guidance He might give me regarding how to lead a corporate response from the platform on Sunday, 9/14. I really did not receive any direction.
Fourthly, lacking specific direction, I came to the tentative conclusion that I would not respond publicly to this tragic happening. I was not completely comfortable about that. But, as stated above, I do not like to respond to high-profile public events/matters without clear direction. And, I know that to do so would take time from an already crowded Sunday morning. The Elders had a rather lengthy announcement to make about my plans for retirement. And I knew that we had planned a major initiative for praying for family and friends to come to the Lord that involved the congregation filling out prayer cards and bringing them to the altar. The morning was already packed. How could we give proper attention to such a weighty and (potentially) polarizing statement in a moment or two? (Just think how long it has taken you to read this article--if indeed you have hung in there to this point!) So, since I had no specific direction, I was prepared to not say anything. But I was still unsettled.
Fifthly, and here is where we come to the good part: the Holy Spirit led us in our response to this tragic event! During the worship time this past Sunday, one of our worship leaders was prompted to deliver an utterance in tongues. This was the spiritual gift at work in our corporate setting, as we read about in I Corinthians 12-14. My spirit was immediately alerted that God was up to something. Next Katrisha shifted gears into delivering an interpretation of the message that she had delivered in tongues. One directive in the interpretation stood out to me, as if highlighted in neon lights: "Pray for the nation!" I felt like the Lord was answering my earlier prayers for guidance and direction. I immediately grabbed the mic and went up to the platform to lead us in a corporate prayer for our nation at this incredibly momentous crossroads.
Sixthly, I want to encourage you to not overlook this directive from the Lord: "Pray for the nation!" This is such a critical hour! We could descend further into polarized divisions. We could see violent rhetoric and bloodshed escalate. We could see the fabric of our social order ripped beyond mending. Or, in the midst of all of our problems we could see a major move of God! I have been hearing for months now of the beginnings of a major Christian spiritual awakening across university campuses and amongst Generation Z in our country. In the past week I have heard of these stirrings increasing. "Pray for the nation" is a directive and an on-ramp for all of us! Let me encourage you not to waste your prayers on your own political perspectives. Elevate them to Kingdom concerns and Kingdom opportunities. Pray for a major move of evangelism amongst students and young adults that leads to a harvest of souls. Pray for an awakening to renew the church at this critical hour. Pray for wisdom for Christian leaders to know how to respond and how to lead. Pray for God's Kingdom to come and for God's will to be done in our beloved nation at this critical season. Especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of the birth of this country which is so precious to God's heart. Pray the lyrics of one of our national hymns (America the Beautiful): "America! America! God shed his grace on thee . . . God mend thy every flaw . . . God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!"
Next Tuesday, 9/23, begins the 10 Days of Prayer for 2025. Wellspring will kick off this observance at South Church in Hartford at 277 Main Street at 7:00 PM. Prayer in all 50 state capitals will be observed for the 10 Days, including Hartford. There will be nightly gatherings at 7:00 PM at South Church. Then, from October 9-12, there will be a major Christian gathering of worship, prayer and public gospel proclamation on the National Mall in Washington around the clock over those four days. It will culminate in an observance of communion at a table which will extend the entire length of the National Mall. Go to: https://awakenthedawn.com/communionamerica/ for details. I am planning to be in DC for that entire time. God is up to something BIG in our nation in this hour! God's word to Wellspring in this hour is this: "Pray for the nation!"
Thanks for allowing me to share these thoughts with you.
Pastor Rick