02-18-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 18, 2025
For years, I have remembered a statistic from one of the very first church conferences I attended back in the early 90s. In recent years, I have tried to confirm the study, and mostly found anecdotal evidence. The statistic claimed that from 1950-1965, a majority of people attending church did not expect to agree with their minister all the time. In fact, the study suggested that a person would feel uncomfortable, even sharply disagreeing with their minister at least once every month. But when asked, a majority of people said they believed such challenges were the task of the minister. And disagreeing was not a reason to leave. The Civil Rights movement of the early 60s, and then the Vietnam War, began to undermine that willingness to listen, disagree, feel challenged, and reach for love. The Bible is only sort of helpful on this topic as there are passages that offer a whole range of opinions, though it is important to know the context. I think about Amos 3:3, where we read: “Will two people walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” These words are found in a section where Amos is calling out the people for their sins and unjust actions. But what fascinates me is how the Prophet does not say that two people will walk together because they agree on all things, but they walk together because they have agreed to walk together. Marriage is a pretty good example of that very thing. I’m guessing most couples could list a few disagreements, even some strong opinions on how a certain spouse does not remember to put the toilet paper on correctly. Under, over, I never remember. But in our vows, we agreed to walk together, not because our relationship was going to be free of disagreements, but because of love. Love is our identity and most cherished value, and for that reason, we can agree to walk together even with a handful of disagreements. 

May we all sense your calling, Source of Goodness and Life, as we strive toward the ideals of love, kindness, and justice. We may not always agree on some of the side issues, but if our common goal is to reflect the dream of Jesus where no one is left behind, we can find a way to walk together. It is in his name that we pray. Amen.