This Easter: Preach the Gospel, Not the Headlines

In a timely reflection from Day1 Episode #4178, Rev. Mark Ramsey, executive director of the Ministry Collaborative and longtime Presbyterian pastor, joins host Rev. Dr. Katie Givens Kime to speak directly to preachers and church leaders facing the challenge of proclaiming Easter in a complex world.

Ramsey names the very real question many pastors quietly ask: How do I preach Easter when the world feels so broken? His answer is clear—you preach anyway. With warmth and conviction, he reminds us that we are not the first generation to proclaim resurrection hope in difficult times. “Don’t be a pundit—be a preacher,” he says. “We’re proclaiming this, whether it makes sense or not.”

For those who prepare sermons week after week, this clip offers both comfort and challenge: a call back to the heart of Christian proclamation.

Watch the Clip

Transcript

Rev. Mark Ramsey

I think, particularly in the last few years, I've had preachers call me—or just run into them and talk—and this was really heartfelt. They'd be like, I'm trying to figure out how, with the world and the state it is, how I can preach Easter.

And I understand that.
And I'm like, "how can we not preach Easter?" And what we're hearing from congregation members is, "please give us hope. Please. Yes, we know the world, and you can certainly make it relevant to the world. But don't be a pundit—be a preacher, and be a proclaimer of this truth."

I think this is a time to stand up and say, we're proclaiming this whether it makes sense or not. We will not be the first people in the history of the world to have to do that in service of the living God.

Reflection

Preaching can be hard—especially when the world feels overwhelming. But as Rev. Ramsey reminds us, the call to proclaim Christ’s resurrection has never depended on whether it’s convenient, popular, or even immediately understood. It’s always been a leap of faith rooted in God’s truth, not ours.

This moment in church life calls for courage and clarity. It calls for a return to what preaching has always been: not commentary, but proclamation. And it reminds us that the Easter message isn’t ours to explain away—it’s ours to announce.

For pastors, lay leaders, and educators, this clip offers a simple but powerful charge: keep preaching the good news. And for all who listen, it invites us to receive it again with open hearts.

Reflect on these questions:
- What fears or uncertainties hold you back from proclaiming resurrection boldly?
- How can preaching move beyond analysis and into proclamation?
- Where are you being called to speak hope, even when it feels costly?

Explore Rev. Mark Ramsey’s full sermon from episode 4178 >>>