Hold That Thought
The world around us needs our public witness now as much as ever before. We live in hyper-sensitive times. We are facing many challenging and divisive issues. For the sake of our community and our nation, it is important for us, as disciples of Jesus Christ, to understand and to address these difficult issues from the perspective of our faith.
At no point in my lifetime has this task been more difficult. We as a nation seem to be so fragmented, so deeply divided, that even raising a subject of concern makes people uncomfortable. My Friends, it need not be that way. It should not be that way. I believe that we as the church can and should model a better way. While it is indeed our practice not to endorse particular candidates for public office, nor to become embroiled in controversy over public policies, we have a responsibility to address issues of importance with sensitivity and respect.
As members of the wider of community of faith, I call upon us all to trust each other enough to explore just what faithful discipleship looks like in our place and time. Perhaps God is calling us to set aside our personal agendas for the sake of others, for the sake of our community. What if we were willing to listen to and learn from each other, to consider the validity of solutions and strategies that we ourselves might not have imagined? Together, God might lead us to discover ways to create a better world for all people. Without shared concern and willing compromise, that goal will not likely be met.
One example is the question of gun safety in our communities. I think we all can agree that something must be done to protect innocent lives, especially those of our children. Several local organizations, including communities of faith from all perspectives, have been working together to this end. Concerned members of our congregation have joined the conversation. Let us not be afraid to listen to each other and to work together to make a difference for our community, for the sake of Christ.
If you would like more information about one opportunity (WEAR ORANGE WEEKEND, JUNE 2-4) to promote the safety and well-being of our people, young and old, just click the link below. May God bless us as we seek to be faithful witnesses in deed, as well as in word.
Peace, John