Today, we are featuring a guest blogger, Bil Mooney-McCoy, who shares the importance of holding firm convictions while still embodying Christ’s love toward those who see things differently, especially across the political aisle. Bil is a member of Neighborhood Church of Dorchester and Director of Worship and Lecturer at Gordon College. Read below to hear his wise, practical advice in how we might choose unity over division and treat one another well in this post-election season, along with some thoughts from our colleague Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler.

---

Last Sunday, in church, we sang a song that summarized what is known as the Apostles’ Creed. When it got to the line “I believe…in Your holy church”, I began to cry. Looking at all the rhetoric and vitriol that has been part of this election cycle, I have been distressed by how divided we’ve become as a nation.

But specifically, my sorrow, my grief was prompted by how we Christians have handled the political landscape. We have villainized each other, questioned the validity of each others’ faith journeys. I’ve seen misinformation knowingly promoted by Christians, insults hurled at fellow believers, and in some cases heard of relationships within the body of Christ severed. I am sure that there have been times when my words and actions have contributed to this division. That’s not OK. This is not Christ’s vision for His church.

We are called to unity. But not to uniformity. We have different experiences, priorities, values, and perspectives; therefore, our opinions and beliefs on issues like abortion, gay rights, immigration, and gun ownership will vary. And it is appropriate for one to hold firm stances on these issues and to strongly disagree with those who hold contrary viewpoints. But these convictions should never lead to opportunities to tear each other down.

As I cried out to God today, I felt a prompting. I asked my God what I should do to promote unity amidst the political discord. Could I stay engaged and firm in my beliefs and convictions while working to diffuse the hostility and intolerance that is so rampant? How do I act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before my God in a time like this? Particularly now, in the election’s aftermath. And how do I channel God’s compassion and peace, knowing that last Tuesday’s outcome filled many with joy and hope but others with deep disappointment and dread?

The answers came quickly. Here’s what I believe God would have me commit to:

• I will cry with our Lord over the disunity and even hatred within our faith community.
• I will not speak ill of those who disagree with my political views, publicly or privately.
• I will pray for courage to engage in respectful, honest connection with those who disagree with me. I confess that I’m not there yet.
• I will recognize that in the outcome of every major political contest or legislative action, there will be many who will grieve; knowing that, I will not gloat nor condone others’ gloating.
• I will do all I can to comfort those who mourn, who are afraid, who feel ignored. I will listen to those who are angry.
• I will remind myself that being loving is more important than being right.
• I will do due diligence to confirm the veracity of any story I wish to repeat, verbally or online, refusing to spread incorrect or unconfirmable narratives, regardless of which agenda they promote.
• I will stand firm in my beliefs, taking strong positions based on my understanding of scripture and the character of Christ. But I will do so knowing that I don’t have all the answers. I will strive to discover my blind spots and accept new information and insights that may challenge my perspectives.
• I will (when appropriate) call out fellow believers whose words and actions are divisive, hurtful, and insulting even when their position aligns with my own.
• I will stand in the truth that my well-being and the well-being of those I love is not contingent on the election or defeat of a presidential candidate, the Senate and House majority, the make-up of the Supreme Court, or any earthly construct. My hope is in the loving care of my Father in Heaven.
• I will be grateful that, despite the flaws in our electoral system, I get to vote.
• I will pray for this nation and for its leaders.

I acknowledge that I do not have the character and morality to walk in these principles; I must rely on the work of the Holy Spirit within me to carry this out and will need to quickly acknowledge when I fall short.

The church’s one foundation is not a set of party platforms, a stance on societal issues, or adherence to a deeply-held political ideology. Her one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord.

Father, forgive me when I forget this.

---

Our friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Gregg Detwiler, consultant in the Intercultural Ministries and Leadership Development at the Emmanuel Gospel Center also shared the following sentiment as this week came to a close:

“While we all continue to sort out the results of the election and attempt to make meaning and find faithful responses to it, curious things can happen. Many of my friends are grieving and concerned; others are happy with the outcome (a subset of those are gloating); others are conflicted, filled with a mixture of emotions and thoughts (find me here). This election has taxed all the various muscle groups of my being – my intercultural ministry skills within the Church and society, my emotional intelligence, my mental health, and my spiritual foundation.

I made a decision this week to not push against the tide of the political upheaval but to try to flow with it. That meant spending probably 90% of my time engaging in reflective journaling, prayer, reading, posting a few transparent but measured comments on FB, and doing my level-best to have grace-filled truth-seeking conversations. I was amazed that at how many fruitful conversations I was able to have across the political spectrum after the election. Not all of them went well but a lot of them did, many more than I ever would have expected. And I have a docket of follow-up conversations scheduled over the next few weeks. So while this is painful and perplexing I find myself in this odd space filled with some unexpected turns along the way.  

One those unexpected turns came when one of my Facebook posts – My 3a.m. Election Day Confession – was anonymously quoted in a UK-based org article that seeks to promote political renewal through thoughtful Christian civic engagement. Here is the link to the article if you are interested in taking a look. I totally get it if things are still too raw for you to go there.

May the Lord help us all as we decompress from this week, find our moorings, and continue the work of seeking shalom in our communities, nation, and world.

P.S. BTW, if you are curious why I voted the way I did I go deeper into that in my FB post – Answering Two Questions of my Political Critics.

---

P.S. In case you missed it, UniteBoston also hosted an influential “Church and Civic Engagement” gathering of 75 leaders with ten other sponsoring organizations. Many of these leaders made a public commitment to Keep in Step with the Holy Spirit. We invite you also to consider upholding this same commitment in the days preceding and following the election.