They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love-- Through "Civil Discourse" in the SBC (edited)
This Sunday we attended Long Hollow Baptist Church. It's a huge church, about 4,000 people on Sundays. David Landrith, the pastor, is a great communicator.
We sung "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love." It must have been "70's day," which is always a plus for a man my age, who became a Christian in the late 70's. (The song was written in 1966, but I did not hear it until the 70s.)
As an extra retro bonus, we also sang "We Will Dance", a great early 90's song. So I was in my element.
The lyrics to "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love" go like this:
We will work with each other, we will work side by side (2x).
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride.
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
They will know we are Christians by our love.
By our love, by our love(2x).
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand (2x).
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love.
They will know we are Christians by our love
This week I was reminded about how far we have to go in the Church today. And, how far I have to go in my own life.
My own denomination dealt with some of these issues last week. Thom Rainer recently wrote a humble and courageous article that called for more civil discourse. I was impressed once again, with Thom's leadership.
Thom called for civil discourse and he mentioned the blogs.
Keith Drury has written an insightful article on how the Internet is impacting denominations. One of his comments was about blogs:
Human interchange has taken on a more savage flavor.
While Television may be the original culprit, the Internet has provided a forum for individuals to lash out with angry tirades at others (and leaders) which sometimes reduces the level of discussions to something more reminiscent of Lord of the Flies than considered thoughtful debate. People will say things in an email or as a response to a blog they would never say face to face.
Keith's words are telling.
I have not been the target of many credible blog attacks (there are a few crazy attacks, but I don't take those seriously). Only two bloggers have, as I can perceive it, crossed a line--and both apologized later. But, I have not been free of controversy... they just did not involve a blog attack.
I have been on the wrong side of "un"-civil discourse on several occasions, but it was not from bloggers. It turns out I am not the only one. Frank Page indicates that one of the surprises of serving in denominational leadership was how many people intentionally misrepresent and try to hurt him. Frank answered in part one of a two part interview:
The worst experience while serving as president is that there was a time not too far into the experience where I realized that there were people intentionally trying to hurt me. There were some people trying to spread some not true things about me and I had to be very confrontational in those situations. I won't go into any specifics, but that obviously - you know, there are people that think that I must love conflict. I don't love conflict.
Two other agency heads have told me the same--and neither Frank, nor the other two, mentioned bloggers.
It seems it is not just bloggers that need to tone it down.
Now, I am not one who believes that "They'll know we are Christians by our love" means "We have to ignore theology to cooperate together." I wrote about that in SBCLife and will post tomorrow encouraging repentance from one group that has walked away from orthodox theology.
But, for my fellow denominationalists: can inerrantist, complimentarian, credo-baptist, once-saved-always-saved trusting, Baptist Faith and Message 2000 believing, Southern Baptists agree on enough to "walk side by side... spread the good news that God is in our land"?
And, can we do that by working through our disagreements through civil discourse and avoid gossip, lying, telling half-truths, and belittling others?
Seems we could all use a double dose of the 9th commandmet and perhaps the Greatest Commandment as well. If that isn't convincing enough take a read of Isaiah 58, paying particular attention to verses 9 and 10.
It is odd indeed that people would think that they can advance a theologically correct agenda with fleshly and carnal means. God will not bring revival and healing to our fractured convention if we use half truths, innuendo, and gossip as tools to accomplish His purposes. (OK, if you skipped the Isaiah reference the first time, NOW go read it. Hard to believe it wasn't written in the past three months.)
Now, for some self disclosure. Honestly, I have not always been civil. But, I will remember this from the song:
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
And, I will try to focus on Christ like and edifying dialogue. We'd be a better convention if all of us, not just bloggers, made that commitment.
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Edit: SBC President Frank Page just contributed an article that makes it clear what we must do.
What must we do?
1) We must beg God for forgiveness. We have spoken ill of brothers and sisters of Christ in ways that should never occur.
2) We must pledge to avoid personal attacks in the future and not to support an activity or conversation in which this occurs. By the way, there is an individual in our convention with whom I have disagreed and have done so publicly. I personally think that is fine. However, I will not be a part of a personal attack of any brother of sister in our convention.
3) We must learn to disagree using the biblical mandates in Matthew 18, Ephesians 4:15, etc. Most church problems and convention problems could have been overcome if we would have followed these biblical mandates.
4) We must learn to listen to one another. This applies to all of us. It is time for leaders, trustees, pastors and people in the pew to listen to the concerns of others, even those with whom we have serious disagreement. The pattern of totally ignoring others with whom we disagree has led to a stone walling and given many the encouragement to become extreme.
5) We must learn to talk to each other, not just about each other. I challenge you to do this. I also promise to you that you will find new friends in so doing.
Amen.
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