What might a Creed that represented Jesus’ teachings more, and Constantine’s less, look like?
Can you offer any advice to pastors and Christians in general who want to speak out on issues that some call political or partisan?Can you offer any advice to pastors and Christians in general who want to speak out on issues that some call political or partisan?
Dear Reader,
1. For what it's worth, here are four lessons I've learned through the years that have stood the test of time for me in trying to find my voice in the public sector. Each time I've fallen short of them, I've grown more committed to them.
2. Whenever possible, try to lead with "I" statements. The sage rabbi Edwin Freedman called this practice self-differentiation. A friend of mine embodied self-differentiation a few years ago when he said something like this to his congregation: "This week, you may see me on TV or social media being arrested. I wanted to let you know in advance that I will be participating in a peaceful protest regarding a cause I care deeply about that will include nonviolent civil disobedience and risk of arrest. I am motivated to take this step by my commitment to Christ, but I am doing this as a private citizen and individual Christian, not as a representative of this church. I do not expect you to agree with me on this matter, but I hope I am setting an example of putting my faith into action. I expect you to respect my freedom to follow my conscience as your fellow Christian, just as I promise to respect yours."
3. Avoid both-sides-ism. Our commitment to being non-partisan is not a commitment to neutrality on matters of right and wrong, help and harm. Rather, it expresses that our highest loyalty is not to a party but to truth, justice, compassion, kindness, and humility, in the light of God. It doesn't hide behind a myth of moral equivalence on both sides. It calls us, not to claim that God is on our side, but rather to seek to be on the side of God, and to do so with the kind of wisdom that is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy" (James 3:17-19).
* Don't just say what you are against or will not do. Make clear what you are for and can be depended upon to do. For example, leaders might say something like this:
* We do not advocate for specific candidates or parties, but we do advocate for the poor, the oppressed, the vulnerable, the misunderstood, and the forgotten, as an expression of our commitment to Christ.
* We do not make deals with political parties, trading support for power or protection. We do challenge all political parties to hear the cries of the earth and the cries of the poor, in fidelity to God.
* We welcome people from all political parties, and part of our welcome includes a commitment to challenge all political positions in light of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, because for us, Jesus is our example and teacher, not any political ideology, and we promise to challenge you to think bigger and deeper than political slogans ask you to do.
* We welcome you, whatever your political affiliations in the past, and we will do all in our power to help you rethink your political positions going forward in light of Jesus' great commandment of love God, self, neighbor, stranger, and enemy.
4. Let the safety and well-being of your vulnerable neighbor, not your own comfort, ease, or "brand," guide you on when to speak, what to say, and how to say it. I've seen too many people with "large platforms" become more concerned about protecting their platform than using it, which leaves me asking: why build a big platform, if you're not going to use it when it counts, even if it costs you something? There are times, of course, when we all need to withdraw -- to recharge and reorient ourselves, and there indeed is a time to be silent. If we forget that, we will soon feel that the weight of the world is on our shoulders alone, and that sounds a lot like playing God. But apart from those necessary times of self-care, solitude, silence, and sabbath, when it's time to speak, I've tried to see my voice as a gift that comes with the corresponding responsibility: to use it on behalf of the disinherited, those in with their backs against the wall. It’s not always easy, but it’s always right.
~ Brian D. McLaren
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