Preaching Through Tragedy: Mark Feldmeir on Ministry, Healing, and Community

In this powerful episode of To Be and Do, host Philip Amerson sits down with Reverend Mark Feldmeir, lead pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, to discuss faith’s evolving landscape, the sacred weight of preaching in turbulent times, and the importance of forging genuine community response in the wake of tragedy.Mark Feldmeir, known for his insightful preaching and recently published book “Life After Finding Faith, When You Can't Believe Anymore,” shares honest reflections on faith’s deconstruction and reconstruction, the responsibilities of pastoral leadership, and how churches can become beacons of healing for hurting communities.Three Takeaways:1. Deconstruction as a Journey, Not a Threat Mark Feldmeir challenges the negative perceptions surrounding faith deconstruction, reframing it as a necessary process for authentic belief. He unpacks how generational images of God—sometimes inherited from classical theology and tainted by concepts of divine aloofness or authoritarianism—can stifle authentic spiritual growth. By reimagining God through more relational, persuasive images, individuals and congregations can find new ways to engage faith meaningfully in a modern world that desperately needs it.2. Preaching in a Changing World The conversation addresses the evolving nature of preaching in the 21st century—the tension between tradition and innovation. While Mark Feldmeir acknowledges the growing influence of new media and creative formats, he argues that preaching’s “incarnational” quality—showing up, telling the stories, and holding the real-life experiences of congregants—is irreplaceable. Even when sermons take new forms, the fundamental need for honest, present, and dialogical preaching remains as essential as ever.3. Pastoral Leadership Beyond the Pulpit Perhaps most movingly, Mark Feldmeir describes the importance of pastoral presence during times of communal trauma, like school shootings. The role expands far beyond Sunday sermons—it means being a visible, reliable source of comfort, helping to organize tangible support, and creating safe spaces for healing. He shares firsthand stories from his own experience, including how St. Andrew became a hub for crisis response. In these pivotal moments, faith communities offer not just words, but the empowering gift of presence and belonging.Don’t Miss:Practical wisdom for anyone re-examining the faith they grew up withHonest insights on preaching’s futureStories of hope, challenge, and communal healingCheck out Mark Feldmeir’s book, revisit past sermons on the St. Andrew United Methodist Church website, and stay tuned for the next episode, where the conversation will turn toward joy and resilience.Listen in for a conversation that’s both timely and timeless—helping us all learn more fully what it means to be, and to do.https://www.markfeldmeir.com/