ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
March 1, 2022
I often find it humorous when I am accused of being political as a pastor. I can’t be 100% sure, but I think it has always been when my message went against the politics of the one who was accusing me of being political. Maybe someone has thought, “I totally agree with Bruce, but I felt like he got too political.” Of course, Jesus would have been accused of being political. His stance on love, and who he loved, got political. Any time you upset a system, it gets political. I hope, at least in my paying gig as a pastor, I have never been partisan. I’m pretty sure I have never said from the pulpit, “Everyone vote for…” At the same time, I have called out the actions of our government (local, state and national) when they undermined certain values I believe to be central to following Jesus. I have also called out the church and other institutions when I have thought they were off base. Yes, it is tough to stand in that gap between discipleship and citizenship. I know I have failed in the dance more than once, but I continue to believe passionately that we are called to put love first in all things. And this love first is not a slogan I can tuck into the closet when the government or my tax dollars are dragging me to a place where I am indirectly putting love last. In those moments, I look to Jesus. He usually told a story or hung out with folks at a dinner where tough questions were raised. He preached a little, and he once turned over tables. Though I believe that was more street theater as he was channeling the prophets of old. In the next couple of days, I want to talk about a few things that may bring accusations of Bruce getting political. You may not believe it, but the world of partisan politics is not my starting place. It is Jesus, and the amazing and limitless love he revealed. I am embarrassingly far from living the love he revealed, but my prayer every night is to stretch myself a little further in his direction as he graciously beckons me to follow.
I pray for humility, O God, as I discern discipleship in a complicated world. May the life of Jesus and the presence of your Spirit continue to shape me as an agent of love in a world often pushing back against love. I seek both strength and courage in my convictions. Amen.
