Polarization: to be separated into opposed or antagonistic groups or viewpoints. Lately it seems our country and churches are experiencing more and more polarization. While it seemed both political parties, during the election process last year, talked about "crossing the aisle" and working together", it seems little of that is happening now that the election is over. And I'm not faulting either party for that. I'm just saying, it's a sad situation that doesn't seem to get any better.
But it's not just in the political world. For several years a number of church bodies have been experiencing polarization among their members. Just within the last couple of years we've seen that happen on a local scale with a well established congregation here in Vero Beach. Maybe some revel in this kind of discontent and division, but to me it's always painful.
Our own church body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is not untouched by this kind of negative force at work around and within us. Since the national assembly, I've heard of a couple of congregations that are talking about leaving the ELCA. This is just sad, and in my opinion, plays right into the hand of the devil himself, who would love to see Christ's church wrangling and divided.
But in the middle of this kind of atmosphere, I am hopeful that our church, the ELCA, can be a different kind of witness and a different kind of "leaven in the loaf.” Our Bishops, and so many of our pastors and members are saying, the oneness we share in Christ, is stronger than some differences we may have among us. Not only that, but we need each other, with our differences, to keep each other honest and learning and growing together in God's grace. Perhaps one of the ways to fight the polarizing that is going on in our country and churches, is to set aside our arrogance, and be open to listening and learning from one another, recognizing that all are gifted in some way, but also that we are all also broken in some way.
The Scriptures are filled with stories of broken people being used in amazing and powerful ways for God's purposes. Is it possible that God is calling us, the ELCA, to be a witness to God's ability to reconcile a fallen humanity to Himself and to one another, in spite of our differences? This is a constant work in progress, the end of which isn't totally clear. But as we stand at the foot of the Cross and recognize the oneness we share in Christ as a beginning point, I believe the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and direct us, and even lead us out of this wilderness of polarization, to a new way of dealing with our differences and learning to live and work together for the common good and to God’s glory.
Lord, have mercy.
Pastor Jack
