THEOLOGICAL CLUE

The phrase used in the title for the day, "after Pentecost," reminds the church and its preachers that the journey to Christ the King Sunday is roughly half-completed. The Holy Spirit is still at work in the church, bringing people to the Lord, undergirding the faith of the believers, and inspiring the people of God to devote themselves to good works and loving service in the name of Jesus Christ. Of itself, the church year "theological framework" has little direct influence upon the worship and preaching of the church; the near-Advent of fall (September is at hand), with the promise of new beginning in all phases of church life, places emphasis upon pastoral and practical theology in the weeks ahead. One's preaching ministry should go into high gear, theologically, becau…