One of the descriptions of Elders in the Bible is shepherds. Over the past few weeks we’ve been hearing concerns fueled by politics – concerns about our refugee friends, education, racism, and more. After a season of prayer, contemplation, and visiting with our Elders, we want to share some guiding principles:

1. If we don’t understand why someone is feeling anxious or angry, we will still be compassionate.
My lack of understanding, misunderstanding, belief that their anger should be placed elsewhere, or complete disagreement with another person does not nullify Jesus’ clear teaching to show compassion to all people. “Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 1:3).

We may not know what another person has experienced or learned*. Regardless, we won’t celebrate or minimize another person’s anxiety. Instead, we will choose compassion, gentleness, love, and listening.

2. If we are offended, bitter, or angry, we’ll turn to Matthew 18.
Jesus tells us exactly what to do when offended: If a brother or sister offends me, I go to them with love, tell them what happened, and gently share my perspective to help them grow in love. This is the stuff that Christians do. The goal is for relationships to be restored through mutual understanding and care.

Church leaders are not called to obey this command more than anyone else. Relationship repair is a shared responsibility.

As we continue reading Matthew 18, we find a shocking story about forgiveness. Because Jesus forgives us infinitely more than we deserve, we must forgive others. Although the sins against us may be significant, they still pales in comparison to how much we’ve been forgiven. We are people of forgiveness, following a God of forgiveness.

3. If our social media or news intake causes us to sin, we will cut it off.
There are wonderful people who absorb anger-inducing lies. Algorithms move them to extremism and echo chambers. It’s easy to think that we are informed, when we are actually being manipulated.

There are also wonderful people whose bitterness grows each time they go online. Let’s choose wisdom and not feed the bitterness that can so quickly grow.

Some folks act completely differently on social media than they do face-to-face. There is a strange disconnect. Thoughtful people post thoughtless things. Caring people write spiteful words. Careful people share reckless words. It’s the strangest of things, but we should keep it this mind. It’s not good, but it is worth remembering.

Do you need to greatly reduce, limit, or remove social media from your life?

4. We thank God that our church comes from different political perspectives.
If you are frustrated with your church because some people disagree with you politically, consider the alternative – a monolithic church built upon political alignment. Jesus called a tax collector (loyal to Rome) and a zealot (loyal to killing Romans). He led them both to a new allegiance – the Kingdom of God. The book of Acts tells of the church spreading like wildfire across cultures, languages, and ethnicities. Romans and Ephesians teach us how to be unified in Christ, especially in our differences. And Revelation paints the picture of every tribe and nation worshipping Jesus.

You might find a church that agrees with all of your politics, but it won’t look much like the church God has in mind. It won’t stretch you to grow your love. It won’t demand Christian maturity. It won’t toss you into the blender of messy, human interaction. And while it might feel good for a bit, it will only last until some politician makes a loud statement that causes church disagreement. Unity can only be built upon Christ.

Don’t you want to be part of a church committed to discipling one another? Don’t you want leaders more committed to private interactions than public disputes? Don’t you want communities where your voice might help another grow?

Some Christians need to learn and change their minds about some things. So advocate for important causes, teach others why they should care about something they misunderstand, challenge friends to change their minds, but do so in love and patience. And as you pray for others to change, be open to changing your mind.

Do you want to know what our church leaders are praying about? We desire justice on this planet (on earth as it is in heaven) and unity in the church. Those two things don’t always mix easily, but they are worth pursuing together.

Peacekeeping is passive, but peacemaking requires us to all work together. And that’s what we’ve been called to do. Would you partner with us in this pursuit as we pray and labor for justice and unity?

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I shared similar words on February 9th with our church family, on behalf of our Elders.

anxiety offended pastoring politics