For pastors, church leaders and followers
by Elouise
In light of today’s political and social challenges
What might I say today to pastors and church leaders?
Not just in churches that call themselves evangelical
but in churches and religious communities of any kind
How are you today?
Better yet, the question a friend recently suggested:
I wonder what it’s like for you right now?
Right now
Given lines set in concrete
The growing breakdown of everyday norms and expectations
Daily eruptions on social media and in families
and congregations gathering each week
Expecting a word of challenge and encouragement
in the midst of chaos and fear
I can only imagine what it’s like for you right now —
How do you maintain your sanity as a pastor or leader
and your integrity as a human being
affected by our current frenzy of tongues unleashed
or lips tightly sealed?
Are there political differences within your own family?
How do you deal with these along with
political and social differences within your congregation?
If we could be together in a classroom
what would you want to explore first?
What might help you reframe the daily deluge
of unchecked words flying through the air?
Of maybe you just want us to know
what it’s like for you right now
No matter what comes next in this unscripted journey
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 27 September 2019
Image found at wikimedia.org
Telling the Truth 
I was challenged by your prior post. Being a pastor right now is hard. I want to stand up for truth, justice, integrity, compassion, and love. And that’s what I try to preach. Most of our congregation is probably okay with whatever I want to say, but there are a few who look for their trigger words to react to. I don’t want to tell people how to vote, but I want people to listen to each other. I want to break down the barriers that polarize us right now. And I’m not sure how to do that without getting political.
My parents and I just avoid talking about news at all. They don’t believe trump tells lies, is corrupt, or is not the savior some call him. It puts me in a place of despair sometimes.
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Natalie, Thanks so much for this response. I can’t imagine a more challenging time (in my lifetime) for pastors and for churches. I think (in my opinion) ‘getting political’ is sometimes necessary. Not in order to tear anyone apart or promote someone else, but in order to connect politics and faith in ways that illuminate the issues, rather than baptizing them. Which, it seems to me, is part of what made Jesus so suspect.
As for your parents, I
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I agree. Jesus was political, calling people to account. I would like to be able to be more forthright about that!
What you said about my parents didn’t come through. They are top of mind right now because I’m with them after my mom had major surgery. Her prognosis is good. We were afraid the surgeon would find cancer, but it was benign. None of us has said anything about impeachment. It’s just too costly. We can’t seem to talk with civility. From my perspective, they won’t listen to reason. That’s probably how they feel about me, too!
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Hi, Natalie. I’m so sorry that last bit got lost somewhere….my ‘bad’ as they say! 🙂 In my experience, I said absolutely nothing about politics around my father. He was a died-in-the-wool Hillary hater. He didn’t live to see Trump elected. I often wonder what he would have said about Trump, given his sketchy relationships of many kinds.
You must be relieved that your mom’s surgery didn’t end with a cancer diagnosis. In some ways, I think not bringing up politics with parents (and giving up any hope of changing their minds) isn’t a bad way to go. Especially given your larger history with them. Still, it must be difficult to have all this stuff going on in the media right now, without the possibility of talking with them about it (even to hear their point of view).
Hugs!
Elouise
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Most times we worry about our own local political goings on. But these days we are worried because we are ‘collateral damage’. Whatever happens next I hope the baseline of behaviour has not been permanently damaged.
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I hear your worry, John, and pray we’ll come to some semblance of sanity. I’m distressed by the readiness of so many to give up so much to a ‘leader’ who has proven himself untrustworthy. Not just in terms of our internal national issues, but also in relationships with international friends and allies. To say nothing about the health and wellbeing of this planet earth. Your last line is most poignant. Pandora’s box comes to mind. Thank you for your comment.
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I’m so sad to share that our LordBeariOfBow (Brian) has died.
Please see the comment section of his last post for the details.
(((HUGS)))
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Many thanks for keeping us all informed. Big hugs right back to you. 💜💕
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You’re welcome, Elouise.
(((HUGS))) and ❤
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