This morning I came across an interesting online review in Christian Century discussing Jamie Smith’s book Awaiting the King. (You can read my review of Jamie’s book here.)
I was particularly struck by the author’s observations on the depth of political polarity within the American church. His explanation of this destructive division is the simple sociological observation that people, 
including Christian people, naturally hang out with others like themselves. If you are familiar with church-growth literature, you will recognize this as a simple application of the “homogeneous principle.”
Here is the most relevant paragraph:
“People select churches based on the convictions in which the culture has already formed them. Those formed primarily by the liturgy of the flag will choose a Southern Baptist church where they know their values will be mirrored, while those formed primarily by the liturgy of individualism will opt for a mainline church where they know inclusiveness will be a shared value. We choose churches the same way we choose political parties. This is why so many Christians know so few Christians who disagree with them. It’s why our ecclesial culture so neatly replicates the polarization in our wider culture. And it’s why so few mainline pastors thought it odd that, when the Festival of Homiletics was held in D.C. this year, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker spoke but no Republican politicians did.”
Of course, the author is absolutely correct. Sadly, he is also making an observation that reveals the immaturity of so many American Christians. After all, the point of Christianity is not to remain who we are naturally. Nor is the goal to be comfortable.
Even more sadly, this selection process not only works for individuals selecting a new church, but also for congregations selecting whom they choose to welcome and embrace. Not only do insiders look for insider churches, but outsiders are regularly rejected by insider congregations.
When Terry and I retired and moved back to Montana we knew that we were immersing ourselves into a rural culture that, by and large, embraced values
very different from our own. I am not a bit surprised to see over-sized pick-up trucks rolling down the street sporting bumper stickers proclaiming “God, Guns and Guts Made America Great! Let’s Keep It That Way” Montana voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, the candidate who often encouraged his supporters to punch his nay-sayers in the face, then promising to pay their court fees.
If we were average church-goers we might have prioritized finding a church — probably a very tiny church meeting in someone’s basement after dark (I am joking) — filled with others like us, politically avant-guarde with a progressive social conscience, where we could be socially comfortable.
But this not what we did, not because finding a comfortable church may have been difficult, but because it would have been wrong.
No, we searched for a church that was living out what we believe the church is supposed to be. (For a fuller discussion of what I mean by this, read my book I Pledge Allegiance: A Believer’s Guide to Kingdom Citizenship in 21st Century America). Here is a short list of the qualities we looked for:
- A preacher/teacher who taught from the Scriptures, both practically and authoritatively, as God’s Word for us today.
- A church where the leaders and the congregation were outwardly rather than inwardly focused, where the emphasis was on helping those who are hurting and reaching out to the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ.
- A church that was primarily growing because new people were coming into new relationships with Jesus, not because disgruntled church-goers were transferring from neighboring congregations.
- A place where we could be involved, use our gifts and make a contribution.
- A place where we could confidently bring our friends trusting that they would encounter the Holy Spirit.
We set out in this search knowing full well that we would probably find ourselves surrounded by folks who would not agree with our politics…and with whom we, too, would seriously disagree. (Of course, there are necessary limits to such tolerance. I would never attend a church where I judged the teaching to be an idolatrous Christian nationalism, or racist, or rabidly Zionist.)
In fact, that is exactly how it has worked out. Thus far, I have disagreed with the politics of almost everyone who has shared their political positions
with me. And, unfortunately, a few of them have made it clear that they aren’t especially interested in getting to know more about us after hearing my own thoughts on the issues of the day. (I have only had one true confrontation when I had to challenge a new friend on his blatant anti-Semitism.)
Yes, I do believe that my fellow worshipers are wrong, and that I am right on these things. But hanging out with fellow “X” (replace the X with whatever political party you like) is not why I go to church. The purpose of the Body of Christ is not to provide a safe place (oh…how I have come to dislike those two words) where I will be coddled in my own preconceptions.
The purpose of Christian community, rather, is that we all become transformed into the image of Christ. And there is one thing I know for certain about Christ’s image — no one on this earth looks exactly like Him yet, including me.
The all-to-common failure to recognize these important distinctions is further evidence of the spiritual immaturity endemic to American Christianity, including evangelicalism.
So, here is the challenge — take a step or two to change this situation in your sphere of influence today.
