These are times of tremendous division and divisiveness.
Voicing opinions, perspectives, concerns, and emotions of gladness, or anger are easy. However, it is exceedingly difficult to build bridges among people, groups, and institutions when shouting at those who think differently has become normative. Too many people have forgotten how to speak WITH one another. Yelling AT one another and talking past each other is commonplace. Increasingly, we hear people say, “I don’t know how to talk with ______________, so I just don’t try.”
A local church can be a good context in which to learn how to live together in unity without seeking uniformity. Throughout my fifty years of ministry, churches have made decisions while expressing diverse perspectives. It has been my role to help churches respond to thousands of questions ranging across subject areas such as:
‘What color should we paint the classrooms?’
‘Should we replace the pipe organ or rebuild the old one?’
‘Can a divorced person serve as a deacon?’
‘Are we truly accepting and inclusive of people of other skin colors and cultures?’
‘How will we interpret passages of the Bible that are clearly written in an ancient time?’
‘Can a woman serve as a deacon or a minister?’
‘Should we continue to support the Southern Baptist Convention?’
‘Will we accept people who are homosexual into church membership?’
‘What changes do we need to make to be relevant to today’s needs while remaining faithful to God’s mission?’
‘Will we affirm same-sex marriage and welcome these sacred ceremonies of commitment in our sanctuary?’
‘If baptism by immersion is not required to get into heaven, why do we require it for church membership?’
I have consistently intended to offer pastoral leadership effectively, listen to all perspectives, offer my honest interpretation of God’s message of compassion, represent God’s vision for Christ’s Church, and call the congregation to pursue missional purposes. Most of the time I have succeeded, although I have fallen short aplenty. In this time of division and divisiveness, extremists of all varieties are trying to control the minds of the masses. As God’s people, we are called to build bridges – not walls. Here are some ideas.
- Practice God’s Expression of Love: Look at 1 Corinthians 13 again and again. Read Matthew 5:43-47 and Luke 6:28 for guidance.
- Trust the Other Person Unless They Prove to Be Untrustworthy.
- Remember Your Real Enemies as Taught in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places.”
- While You May Not Agree on Everything, Try to Find Mutual Focus – working for care rather than harm of other humans; labor for fairness and justice rather than cheating and lying; collaborate for freedom rather than oppression; and seek shalom for the poor and disadvantaged rather than ignoring their existence.
- Pray for Insight to See How God Redeems by Transforming Evil into Righteousness.
- Treat Other People with Respect: To disagree with another person is fine; to disregard the worth of another person is wrong.
- Be Involved in At Least One Effort You Believe In. Link your energy to your heart.