by Gena Granberg
When I moved from the South to the Northwest in 2021, I felt firsthand the tensions surrounding politics. Events made me not just hesitant, but almost fearful, to address any political topic. Yet as a Christian, I believe we bring insight and attitudes that could—and should—leaven our emotionally charged context. As the Church, what is our role in today’s polarized political arena?
Many, like me, choose to stay quiet and not enter the conflict. Others become judgers of others’ political views. I believe we are missing an opportunity if we avoid or are judgmental about these great questions of our day. God often does his best work when people’s passion stirs. Being informed and articulate about “the questions of the day” shows the relevance of God’s message today. When people are feeling unrest in their souls, they are ripe for the gospel message. How might the church meaningfully and respectfully enter peoples’ unrest?
First, we always have more to learn. A learning posture guides us to engage the conversation with humility. If we surround ourselves with only like-minded people, we end up contributing to the polarization. However, if we listen to varying opinions, we become more aware of people’s questions and concerns and can gain some right to be heard.
Second, when the world is so full of anger, arrogance, anxiety, and conflict, we enter as the bearers of joy, hope, and humility. Our churches might benefit from a structure to engage these conversations. Recently, my small group went through the Redeeming Babel’s, After Party study. We were encouraged to write our own “I have a dream” speech and fill it with passion, inspiration and hope. This gave me some confidence that I could enter into conversations helpfully—and hopefully.
I Peter 3:15,16 encourages us to give an answer for the hope within us. As we seek justice through serving in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or have immigrants over for a meal and hear their story, we are entering into the complexity of today’s problems and give testimony to who our God is. Rather than judging the motives of others, especially our politicians, may our churches pray for their clarity of insight, motives and guidance for solutions. Only God can heal this land. I pray for God to use me and our churches to bring the light of Jesus into the lives of people struggling in today’s political arena.
Leave a Reply