“You’re Just Being Political!” So comes the accusation in reference to a statement you made on a particular topic or issue, with which another Christian brother or sister disagrees. But is it true? Are you being political? At that, was it even intentional? Fair question.

Your instinctual response may be, “No I’m not!” at which case things easily dissolve into a dichotomous win-lose argument. Then, somewhere in the ongoing passionate exchange, the initial topic at hand becomes secondary to who’s right and who’s wrong about the accusation itself! Really?

Spoken discourse, once a skillful art in daily effective communication, today easily devolves into ineffective crudeness. One person, with mic or megaphone in hand, speaking from a platform, expresses a barrage of epithet-laced verbiage in an attempt to win the masses, no matter the effect. Or two individuals emphatically talk at each other with reactive exchanges that look more like two novice boxers in a ring each seeking a knock out punch! How’s that working?

Christian clergy and congregants both wrestle with, even fail at, cogent communication. I know! I’ve been on both sides and in the middle. Conveying beliefs, thoughts, or ideas can be helpful leading to collective unity or hazardous leading to divisive disunity. Is it as simple as who’s right and who’s wrong? Hardly. It is respectfully complex. However there are some things to keep in mind Christian, as you attempt to communicate.

Some observations and questions about our communication.

  • We aren’t getting better at this, especially in our churches.
       Why the disconnect in attempts to connect?
  • Some freely speak their mind with little regard — others hesitate to speak at all.
       Why is it so difficult to get on the same page?
  • A particular word is used in dialog or debate but the assumed definition actually differs.
       Who defines what “political” means? Besides, was Jesus ever “political”?

In a passionate disagreement, both parties likely are not arguing from the same place. There are at least 8 different basis or grounds from which each may argue:

  • Legal
  • Moral
  • Ideological
  • Spiritual
  • Factual
  • Statistical
  • Contextual
  • Historical

You or the other party may not even be aware that this is occurring. As a result there is failure to see eye to eye, and even rightly disagree because of it. For instance, one may be speaking principle while the other stays stuck on practice. Or, in the heat of the discourse some unknowingly flit from basis to basis just to win the point! (Such should be left to birds with their branches). Good questions to ask yourself are, “Which basis am I arguing from? From what grounds are they? This may give insight or greater understanding to the situation.

“Being political” is in the eyes of the beholder; highly subjective. Who defines what is being political or partisan? Usually those who disagree with your position! Those who agree with your words on it, don’t. Here are some definitions of both:

  • Political – “having specific, often strongly held, views on how society, resources, and power should be managed, frequently aligning with particular political parties, movements, or ideologies.”
    • By definition this could include, refer to, being pro-life or a pacifist.
  • Partisan – “feeling, showing, or deriving from strong and sometimes blind adherence to a particular party, faction, cause, or person.”
    • By definition this could include a follower or disciple of Jesus Christ, also an adherent to the Word of God.

It can be confusing, even disheartening, when attempting to be non-political! As one source put it, “speaking favorably about an organization, ideology, or set of principles that aligns with your beliefs is generally considered ‘being political,’ regardless of whether you personally view it as a neutral expression of your values.” Simple, right?

Even Jesus was “political” by today’s terms. When addressing a crowd about sin He used current day events to illustrate his spiritual beliefs, or religious understanding (Luke 13:1-5). He cleverly navigated the church-state trap in Matthew 22:1-5. It can be done!

Sometimes clergy are hesitant to speak into their congregation about God’s perspective on current topics or issues for fear of offending a few of the flock or being labeled as “being political” when the heart cry in the congregation is for clarity. On the other hand, some clergy actually are being political when using a biblical text merely to support their social views, or manipulating information in a social situation to illustrate the text. That shouldn’t be done!

Finally, on the matter of communication – Don’t just hear words, but listen, listen, listen. If you are like me, this is one of the most unnatural things to do! We hear a word or phrase from someone, which naturally triggers something inside, and we go into reaction mode: loading up our words of response, mixing up undesired emotions, judging the other’s attitude and character while defensively justifying our own. Then we fire back when ready. Do you?

Christian, being political or not, being Christ-like is not about having to be right or heard. It is to be less about you and more about Him, in the company of those you may not like at the time. Your voice matters! His voice matters more.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
~ James 1:19 NIV

—RWO/MAST