For Marty, the only real swear word was tribalism — watching out for my interest, my family, my town, my country, my tribe — at the expense of others…. Everyone, and he meant everyone, deserved a seat at the table of public discussion as long as they were willing to play by the rules of civility and reasoned examination of the evidence.
This powerful quote from Grant Wacker closes out the New York Times obituary for Martin Marty, who died two weeks ago at age 97. A pre-eminent religious historian, prodigious writer, and cherished teacher (including to one of us), Martin Marty was also a steadfast champion of pluralism in American life. For Marty, as Wacker puts it, “everyone, and he meant everyone, deserves a seat at the table of public discussion.”
Right now, it is hard to conjure up anything as hospitable as a “table of public discussion,” much less imagine welcoming everyone to that table. We also know the reference to “rules of civility” is potentially fraught in today’s environment, as many might respond, “whose rules exactly?” Is it possible to gather in any group and actually discuss anything? Where might this hard and careful work happen at such a crucial time in our life together? Oh wait …. what about church board meetings?
So, what about church board meetings?
This is a perilous time for pluralism in churches as much as anywhere. In times of high stress and anxiety, there is an understandable yearning to seek the comfort of our own tribe—our tribe’s food, our tribe’s people, our tribe’s reassurances, our tribe’s vocabulary.
The yearning for tribalism may be seductive, but it further shrinks the opportunities for faith communities to follow Jesus and be a church.
We cannot and will not prescribe how your church board should address the yearning for tribalism, given your unique context and set of characters. It is always helpful, however, to listen together to the voice of scripture, which opens up possibilities for exploration of the most difficult dimensions of community.
Jesus expected, throughout his ministry, that his own followers would model themselves on him and reach out beyond their tribe. A few instances suffice.
You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… (Mathew 5:43-44)
Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other, for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
Jesus’ witness in reaching out across every divide is a spiritual discipline of care and grace (as in, “love your enemies”). It is also a strong caution against defining ourselves by who we are not (as in, “God, I thank you that I am not like …”).
Jesus meant everyone – even and especially those we decidedly don’t want to be like or try to understand. Even and especially in times like this.
Where are the tables of public discussion in your community? Who is welcomed, and who is not?
How about the tables of public discussion in your congregation? Who is welcomed, and who is not?
Looking at the parable in Luke 18, what distinguishes the speech and action of the Pharisee from the speech and action of the tax collector? What happens?
When has your congregation been tempted to define itself over against others? What was going on that provoked that desire? What happened?
What does the phrase “everyone means everyone” mean to your church board?
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