We Disagree—So What?!

As Christians, we believe each person is a child of God. Christ taught us that we should love our neighbor. Love not only those who are our friends or whom we trust, but love those whom we dislike; with whom we have serious disagreements; whom we despise or whom we consider our enemies. Christ never promised that following his way of life was going to be easy!

Brave Angels Mission and St. Matthew’s Affiliation

Braver Angels is a movement that seeks to depolarize our political discussions. Its mission:

We bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. We welcome people with strong convictions and principles. We believe the best way to achieve a more perfect Union is by being forthright and transparent about our political leanings. In that spirit, we say to our fellow Americans, “Come with your convictions, your willingness to listen, and your readiness to talk with others who disagree with you.” We also recognize that political beliefs are often complex. A person can belong to a party and not agree with that party’s positions on all issues or candidates.

Does this approach resonant within our St. Matthew’s community? Is it consistent with the Way of Jesus? Christians within our St. Matthew’s community have different views on how we best address important social and political issues. Not all feel safe expressing those views. Might we become a Christian community that encourages a comfortable environment in which we discuss our differences? How do we show Christian love towards those with whom we vigorously disagree on the solutions to important social and political issues? Does our St. Matthew’s community have anything to offer our wider community in how we bridge our political differences or find ways to compromise?

We Are One of the First Churches to Try This

Next Tuesday night St Matthew’s will become the first of two Episcopal churches, two Catholic churches and two Jewish synagogues nationwide to begin a Braver Angels affiliation. Six of our parishioners, three leaning more liberal and three leaning more conservative in their political philosophies, will share their personal views on some of the political issue most important to each of them. You are invited to attend as observers and will have an opportunity for discussion at the end of the evening. The Zoom link appears in Tidings. If you can’t find it or have any problems connecting, please email Lars at office@stmatthewsmn.org.

Modest Initial Goals

Our initial goals for St Matthew’s Braver Angels affiliation are modest: Are we comfortable as a Christian community to gather and explain to each other our personal views on important political issues; to listen to the other person; to seek to understand the other person? Without labeling the other person’s views or seeking to change that person’s views? To model Christian love for each other despite our differences? Might we find new insights, common ground and new ways to bridge our differences? How might the Holy Spirit be leading us in this? Are we comfortable doing more such events? Other topics? Come and join us next Tuesday night!