From the Pulpit: No division: Wouldn't that be something?

The Apostle Paul wrote to the followers of Jesus in Corinth, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” (1 Cor. 1:10) 

In the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen yet another denomination (Methodists) splitting up over how to interpret scripture and live faithfully. We have a wide theological spectrum of followers of Jesus in this community and they are definitely not of the “same mind” on many things.

No division. Wouldn’t that be something? Sometimes we can think about the early followers of Jesus as enjoying an idyllic church free from all the dogma and dissention we see today. 

However, Paul wrote these words to a community that was VERY divided. They had questions about who should be in charge, who held authority, if it was better to be baptized by one person or another! It was a highly divided and deeply contentious. People are people. And we will find ways to be divided because that is part of our condition.

If there ever were a space that you’d hope left division at the door you’d hope it would be the church … right? Maybe not. 

My best friends are the people who when I have an idea that they disagree with will tell me to my face right then and there. We can disagree about things – big things – and keep talking knowing that it is healthy to debate about things that matter. If you don’t feel the need to say something when you hear a position or idea that doesn’t sit right with you, chances are that you don’t actually care that much. If you don’t feel called to take a stand… well, then what DO you stand for?

Of course, not all disagreements are good. Not all viewpoints are helpful. Sorting out which ones are is part of the messy reality of being alive and called to be engaged in the work of being the Body of Christ in this place. The unity we are called to is not the same as uniformity.

What we are called to be united on is communicating and enacting the unconditional, unmeasurable, unstoppable love of Jesus Christ given to all people. 

Dear Church of Brandon, S.D., in 2020, let’s be about that above all else.