Stop the Civil War
When things happen in our country, there are people who look to Thunder Mountain Church to see how we are going to respond. We always try to take time to give a wise, biblical, prayerfully-sought non-partisan answer because I know we always have good people on both sides of nearly every political issue.
We want to build unity on the essentials of scripture, and try to leave room to disagree on nearly everything else.
I think it’s time I speak out on what (in my opinion) is amounting to a new Civil War in our country. What am I talking about? POLITICS!
I think we are ALL tired of the political rhetoric that is flying around our country right now. I’m not talking about sharing our political views and opinions, I’m talking about the labeling, the name calling, and speaking of the “other” side as though they are IDIOTS!
PLEASE STOP! You are promoting Civil War when you should be peacemakers!
Regardless of which side you are on, when you participate in this, you are talking about people you not only go to church with, but are brothers and sisters in Christ.
START TALKING LIKE YOU ARE SPEAKING WITH A FRIEND.
I see comments about people that would NEVER be said to someone’s face, but they are and we need to realize it before we post.
What cost me one friend was this post, “What I tell the other pastors is, ‘If you speak for another group of people and can't have them sit in the front row and say, “yes, that is what I believe”, then you misrepresented them. When you misrepresent them, you promote division.’"
To another who blocked me, I wrote, “Democrats and Republicans aren't going to save us. We need to get our eyes off Trump and back on Jesus. I don't want to participate in this civil war. The only question that brings hope is "Have you been born again?" The flesh leads to death but the Spirit gives life. Labeling people and calling them names is of the flesh.
To a well-known Christian leader on Twitter, I replied, “No it (what was posted) doesn’t make you woke, but it doesn’t make you wise either.”
Right now, some of you are trying to size up my words as being one side or another. Again I ask you, “PLEASE STOP IT.”
TRY THESE FILTERS INSTEAD
Yes, I am greatly concerned about our country right now and I am troubled by the ways people are being sucked in by headlines and soundbites.
START GETTING THE WHOLE STORY!
At a recent Chamber of Commerce gathering which was a reception for Arizona’ governor, I was asked to give the invocation. The focus of my prayer was, “Will you destroy the dividing wall of hostility that divides us and unite us on the values we share as Americans?”
STOP PARTICIPATING IN THIS CIVIL WAR!
Let’s call it what it is . . . and TMC needs to participate in finding solutions, not contributing to the great divide.
What you have heard me say on so many issues is pertinent here: “One person’s opinion is no better or worse than another’s but if God would speak, only His opinion would count.”
Question: How do we speak on issues where God’s “opinion” is unclear?
Answer: Carefully!
As a church we have “unity based on the essentials of scripture” so don’t break unity on issues where the scriptures don’t speak clearly.
THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34–35 (NIV)
FACTS
Start conversations with sincere questions, looking for common ground, and bring the Prince of Peace into the discussion.
We want to build unity on the essentials of scripture, and try to leave room to disagree on nearly everything else.
I think it’s time I speak out on what (in my opinion) is amounting to a new Civil War in our country. What am I talking about? POLITICS!
I think we are ALL tired of the political rhetoric that is flying around our country right now. I’m not talking about sharing our political views and opinions, I’m talking about the labeling, the name calling, and speaking of the “other” side as though they are IDIOTS!
PLEASE STOP! You are promoting Civil War when you should be peacemakers!
Regardless of which side you are on, when you participate in this, you are talking about people you not only go to church with, but are brothers and sisters in Christ.
START TALKING LIKE YOU ARE SPEAKING WITH A FRIEND.
I see comments about people that would NEVER be said to someone’s face, but they are and we need to realize it before we post.
What cost me one friend was this post, “What I tell the other pastors is, ‘If you speak for another group of people and can't have them sit in the front row and say, “yes, that is what I believe”, then you misrepresented them. When you misrepresent them, you promote division.’"
To another who blocked me, I wrote, “Democrats and Republicans aren't going to save us. We need to get our eyes off Trump and back on Jesus. I don't want to participate in this civil war. The only question that brings hope is "Have you been born again?" The flesh leads to death but the Spirit gives life. Labeling people and calling them names is of the flesh.
To a well-known Christian leader on Twitter, I replied, “No it (what was posted) doesn’t make you woke, but it doesn’t make you wise either.”
Right now, some of you are trying to size up my words as being one side or another. Again I ask you, “PLEASE STOP IT.”
TRY THESE FILTERS INSTEAD
- We exist to be disciples who make disciples who make disciples (Our Purpose Statement)
- Ask yourself, “Am I BEING a disciple right now . . . will this post MAKE disciples?”
- We will advance the Kingdom of God in ways that value people and honor God. (our Values Statement)
- Ask yourself, “Am I valuing people and honoring God?”
- “The one who gives an answer before he listens — this is foolishness and disgrace for him. ” Proverbs 18:13 CSB
- Ask yourself, who or what am I listening to or have I presupposed the heart, motives, convictions, or position of another person?
Yes, I am greatly concerned about our country right now and I am troubled by the ways people are being sucked in by headlines and soundbites.
START GETTING THE WHOLE STORY!
At a recent Chamber of Commerce gathering which was a reception for Arizona’ governor, I was asked to give the invocation. The focus of my prayer was, “Will you destroy the dividing wall of hostility that divides us and unite us on the values we share as Americans?”
STOP PARTICIPATING IN THIS CIVIL WAR!
Let’s call it what it is . . . and TMC needs to participate in finding solutions, not contributing to the great divide.
What you have heard me say on so many issues is pertinent here: “One person’s opinion is no better or worse than another’s but if God would speak, only His opinion would count.”
Question: How do we speak on issues where God’s “opinion” is unclear?
Answer: Carefully!
As a church we have “unity based on the essentials of scripture” so don’t break unity on issues where the scriptures don’t speak clearly.
THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34–35 (NIV)
- STOP THE NAME CALLING
- STOP THE LABELING
- START LOOKING FOR COMMON GROUND
FACTS
- People on both “sides” of an issue attend our church
- People on both “sides” have good reasons for their positions.
Start conversations with sincere questions, looking for common ground, and bring the Prince of Peace into the discussion.
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