PostScript: True unity

In contrast to the values seen in our world today, Paul teaches us how to build true community with truth, love, humility and gentleness (Ephesians 4.1-16).

Context

Following recent free elections In Zimbabwe, the next President has yet to be declared. The opposition party (the Movement of Democratic Change) are seeking to end the long rule of Zanu PF and to erase the memory of years of a long and bitter struggle under the rule of Robert Mugabe. The mood at the time of writing is becoming increasingly tense, as EU observers describe the vote as not on a level playing field. The longer that no final result is declared, the more likely it is that mistrust – born of a long history of fear and oppression – will erupt in violence. How can some unity be found here?

This week, truth is a casualty in an investigation being launched by the Charity Commission into the Institute of Economic Affairs, and its possible influence on Brexit.

It is not enough simply to utter the truth as we see it. As the latest incident in a long running crisis within the Labour party over anti-semitism erupts, there are calls for Peter Willsman to resign over his remarks. Many are asking if this is truly a turning point for the party and whether any unity is possible.

Facebook has acted on evidence of ‘bad actors’ whose inauthentic behaviour has aroused suspicion of attempts to coordinate disruption to the mid-term elections in the United States. 32 accounts have been closed, most of them already with significant traffic. How can the truth be protected in situations where democracy, and the processes that support it, are under constant threat?

Reflection

Part of our answer to the challenges that surround us is to lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called (Ephesians 4.1). Finding our sustenance not in the bread of earthy desires but in the bread that comes from heaven – the values, practices and priorities that make us distinctive. Where does truth fit into this? Unity thrives where there is truth. We are called to speak the truth in love and to be patient with one another. We can only really begin to speak the truth in love if we have faced the truth about ourselves: ‘with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love’ (4.2)

We are invited to come to a place where we speak the truth in love, so that we grow together into Christ. When we commit to moving to growth in our own lives, we can more fully work for the growth of others and the body builds itself up in love (vv.15-16).

This passage provides a profound call to unity, perhaps the most profound in all of Scripture. Unity that results from a situation where people are too afraid to address concerns or disagreements is not a true unity. Neither is it true community. A unity that comes because some people are marginalized or pushed out of the church is not the way in which church should be built.

The church, at macro and micro levels, is rightly a place for us to learn to hold tension in our hearts, to standing in between as bridge or as peace builder with hands outstretched to opposing groups. In this way we are following the example of Christ whose death demonstrates the cost of reconciliation. It is an act of faith to stand between opposing groups or individuals and to prayerfully imagine a future that is so very different. Leaders in the church must model this in the way that they lead people in times of change, in the ways they lead meetings where emotive views are discussed, and in the way they teach communities to be reconciled to one another – not hiding difference, but accommodating it where possible.

The question for all of us is whether we have the maturity to stand in this in between place, the place of our disagreement and separation – between what is and what might be. This is what it means to agree and disagree in love. Are we willing to stay in this gap, to engage in dialogue even when we do not agree?

What do we do with dissenting voices?

Prayer

Transforming God,
from the threads of difference,
make something beautiful;
from our disagreements, 
let true peace emerge.

In the absence of consensus,
bring us to a deeper listening.

In the clamour of opposite views,
give us hearts that attend to the truth.

In the yearnings of our souls for clarity of vision,
give us honest eyes to see our confused lives.

May we look on others as you see them –
your works of grace,
still unfinished.

May the failings of others challenge us to grow.
Amen.

Questions

• How should we respond to the complainers in our congregations? Is there a point when we need to confront complaining?
• How easy do we find change? How can we encourage one another when life in our church seems to be full of challenges that disturb our peace?

All-age activity

A gathering activity for the whole congregation, or an activity for small groups.

Our hand prints are unique to us – they represent our individuality. Placing them together on the paper is a sign of how we are each part of a larger picture – not losing our individual identity or blending into one another but belonging together to make a big picture of the diversity that should flourish in the body of Christ. If this is done with the whole congregation, take care to include the youngest members who will need some help in making their mark on the paper!

You will need: a large roll of art paper or wallpaper lining paper, paints, materials to clean their hands (wet wipes or similar).

Ask members of the group to place either a hand print or a finger print on the paper. You could use the resulting picture in procession giving thanks for the church community made up of so many different people with so many different gifts.

Young people

Take some time to discuss the gifts that help the church to grow – both to grow in numbers and to grow in depth.

What part do each of us play? What part do different groupings play within the church?

Diane Craven is an education and spirituality consultant. She is a Reader in the Church of England currently licensed to York Minster where she also co-ordinates work with children and young people.

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