Are We Amos or the Court Prophets? A Challenge to Bold Preaching in the Church

Amos stood boldly against religious compromise, while the court prophets served institutional power. This article invites modern pastors to reflect honestly on which role they more closely resemble. It warns of the economic and social pressure to please the church rather than challenge it, and calls for courageous, prophetic preaching that is rooted in truth, love, and wisdom, even when it risks backlash from those who pay the preacher’s salary.

When we read the story of Amos and his battle with the court prophets of Israel, we tend to cast ourselves in Amos’s role—the lone voice of truth. Amos stood outside the religious system, fearlessly proclaiming God’s message.

His adversaries? Mere mouthpieces of the powerful—paid to say what the king wanted to hear. But is it really that simple?

If we’re honest, most modern preachers, myself included, have more in common with the court prophets of King Jeroboam than with Amos. After all, who pays our salaries? Like the court prophets, we are employed by the religious institutions we serve. And while many of us strive for faithfulness, there’s always the underlying awareness: if our words offend the wrong people, there could be consequences.

Whether it’s job security, budget concerns, or social capital, the pressure to please is real. This doesn’t mean we can’t speak truth, but it does mean we must be brutally honest about the cost and courage required to do so.

The Call to Courageous Preaching

There are moments when every pastor is called to step into Amos’s shoes—to speak on behalf of the poor and the powerless, to confront sin, pride, injustice, or apathy, even when it’s unpopular.

What makes this particularly hard is not the content of the message, but its audience: those who pay our salary. A “bold sermon” isn’t just one that preaches on controversial issues like racism or sexuality. It risks upsetting people in the pews—and the power structures that support us. That requires courage. But it also requires wisdom.

Boldness with Love and Tact

A truly prophetic sermon doesn’t seek division for the sake of drama. It seeks faithful clarity—spoken with love and aimed at healing, not harm. We are still members of Christ’s body, and our words should build up even as they challenge.

Preaching the Word We Cannot Contain

Many preachers know the feeling of being compelled to speak a difficult word, a truth from Scripture we wish we could avoid. But as Jeremiah said, “His word was in my heart like a burning fire… I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (Jer. 20:9). When that happens, it’s often a sign that the word is not from us, but from God. And it must be preached.

To all who preach faithfully within the structures of religious power, thank you. May God grant us all: