Leadership is important. Last Sunday, I told you that I am certain that it is possible to be a “Purple Church” – a congregation where both republicans and democrats submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and work together because of the unity we find in Christ. I used the example of a playing field, where the “out of bounds” lines are clear, but the players can take up places around the field and all still play. I am sure, when I look at the history of the Christian Church, that this is how we have always worked and how we reflect God’s mysterious and loving purpose. So, there are always Christians who disagree with each other, but we can do so in love and respect because we are both obedient to Jesus’ command to love – God above all and then our neighbor as we love ourselves.
However, the most bitter battles are always fought over where the “out of bounds” lines are located. What is the “line” that defines faithfulness to God? That is where leadership comes into play. It matters which leaders you follow. And it matters to what essential principles, goals, or beliefs our leaders are committed. For example, if my goal is to amass as much power or wealth as possible, then all other principles (including truth and compassion) will be set aside to pursue my overarching goal. But if my goal is mercy and justice, then I will be willing to set aside my own profit margin and privilege to achieve those goals.
Now that our country has elected new leadership, on every level, our role as faithful followers of Jesus is to define for ourselves where our “out of bounds” lines are located, and to evaluate our own lives and our leader’s lives according to those faith commitments.
This fall, for the nineteenth time since I became your pastor, I led a training class for the new elders and deacons that you elected last August. New elders and deacons commit to sit with me in class for TEN weeks, and we meet BEFORE WORSHIP every Sunday in the fall! That takes commitment! But it is one of the markers of strong leaders and one of the factors that, in my opinion, keeps FLPC strong. Leadership is important, and in a time of rapid change it is even more important. In Officer Training, we talk about how Presbyterian Churches govern themselves. We talk about what the Confessions of our faith teach. We talk about how to keep our own leadership healthy and how we hold our congregation accountable to what we say we believe.
As we live into our post-election world, It is really important to keep on doing what we did before: to lean into building diverse and authentic communities and to listen to those who are different from us. We are still going to work for justice and slather as much mercy around as we can. We are going to continue to bring into alignment with Jesus’s commands what comes out of our own mouths, and where we spend our own money, time and effort. And I hope we will keep on talking about where the “out of bounds” lines are located for faithful Christians in our every-day living.
Pray for leadership: the leadership of our congregation, the leadership of our schools, the leadership of our community, the leadership of our nation, and the leadership of the world’s nations. Now is a time to pray.
See you in Worship!
Ellen Fowler Skidmore
