Issue 13 Preaching across CulturesBlog | Unity and Disagreement
Unity and Disagreement
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 24.12.17
The polarising nature of the recent EU referendum and the implications of the general election for Brexit have mobilised many in the UK to political action.
There are those in churches for whom the EU represents a spiritual principality and power that must be defeated in accordance with passages from Daniel or Revelation. The rule about avoiding talk of politics at the dinner table is getting more difficult as political negotiations and a hung parliament impact us all. Similarly, those who would prefer not to hear talk of politics in church are likely to be subdued by the pressing concerns for all of us in the current political climate.
As preachers and church leaders we are likely to be delivering sermons to congregations that include both Brexiters and Remainers. We’ll have Labour voters, Conservative voters, LibDem voters, Green voters, UKIP voters and non-voters listening to our sermons and bringing their own sociopolitical framework to the message we share. Although our congregation may be united around believing in Jesus, there will be a great deal of disunity about what government priorities should be and what is best for the UK. This will have always been the case, but with such heightened stakes, people are more aware of their political views. It is likely that most of our congregation will also align their political views with their religious ones. The Brexiter believes God would want us to leave the EU, while the Remainer believes exactly the same about their position. How do we preach the gospel into that context, especially when we bring our own political lens to preaching?
