Polarization!

May 16, 2019

It does not matter if you look at politics at the highest level, business at the most profitable level, or athletics at the most skilled level. We see the same trend; there is a dramatic increase in polarization!

The world-wide United Methodist Church is just as much a part of this trend of polarization as any other group or organization. Many high level leaders are saying the United Methodist Church is tearing itself apart.

We have engaged our different opinions and values and beliefs in such a way that we have polarized our relationships with one another. I see little difference in how the world-wide United Methodist Church is engaging one another in conversation and how the culture in which we live is engaging conversation.

I will not shy away from engaging in a conversation that are potentially difficult IF I am convinced that conversation will lead people into a deeper relationship with Jesus.

The church is meant to be filled with racial diversity, socio-economic diversity, stage of life diversity, spiritual maturity diversity, etc. However, the great majority of churches tend to be more homogenous in thought and practice than they are diverse.

I wonder if the challenge we are facing in the Christian Church as well as in our culture is that we have convinced ourselves that everyone needs to have the same opinion on matters of faith and practice.

What if that assumption is wrong? What if we would choose to live in unity without uniformity? What if we would choose to agree on certain things but not all things? What if we would choose to focus on living and loving like Jesus without worrying so much about who is right?

Imagine needing to agree only on the things that lead us into an abundant life with Jesus today and eternal life with Jesus later on. Our only hope is unity in Christ!

I dream of the day when every conversation is based on a mutual understanding that we are all sinners in need of a Savior who will forgive us, accept us, save us, and transform us. I dream of the day when every church is doing everything it can so our world looks more and more like the Kingdom of God.

We have to become better at loving people with whom we disagree…at home, at work, at school, in the neighborhood, and on the ball field.

To do so will require a fresh work of the Holy Spirit deep inside our heart, our mind, and our soul.

First thing every morning, we will need to ask the Holy Spirit to produce in us a heart willing to serve, a soul willing to sacrifice, and a mind willing to be humble.

First thing every morning, we will need the Holy Spirit to produce in us a love that is willing to grow existing relationships and make new friends.

Some of us are being called to show our politicians, our business leaders, our athletes, and our churches that we don’t have to settle for polarization. There is something that is more healthy and helpful and holy; it is a bond, a unity, a family…a love…we discover in Christ.

Maybe the answer to the polarization is a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit!