French Lessons for the PCA

The following is very PCA Insider Baseball and is likely of interest only to those aware of the recent controversy regarding a proposed GA Seminar. Thanks for your visit here.

Most of the Pastors and Officers of the Presbyterian Church in America who are shortly headed to Richmond, Virginia, for our annual General Assembly went to work a week or so ago thinking that all the plans for the upcoming “GA” were moving ahead peacefully. It was reasonable to expect a relatively controversy-free time to be on the horizon. Bereft of potentially major conflicts, vital matters could be debated and decided at GA without too much rancor. Well…in the immortal words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend.”

The illusion was shattered into a million tiny pieces that afternoon by an announcement from the Church’s Administrative Committee that this year’s Assembly-wide seminar (an 8 AM get-together usually attended by only a handful of somewhat sleepy, under-caffeinated commissioners) would take the form of a panel discussion on “How to Be Supportive of Your Pastor and Church Leaders in a Polarized Political Year.” Among the panel members would be well-known author, journalist, and New York Times writer David French.

Like many others, I was taken aback when I stumbled upon this announcement on the ByFaith X/Twitter feed. I anticipated that this news would be met with the same enthusiasm as a root canal without novocaine. 

Now, one can think that such a seminar might’ve been needed, or even that the views and experience of my friend David French would be helpful to include; he’d certainly make a meaningful contribution. One might just as equally think that such a seminar was pointed in the wrong direction - maybe one on Pastors helping members navigate the political scene this year might’ve been a better option. One might even conclude that the entire notion of dealing with anything political at GA during an election year would be a fool’s errand and best avoided altogether, given the social conditions the seminar title indicates. 

What one could not under any circumstance imagine, however, is that a political seminar with a controversial member of the press as part of the panel would unite the commissioners in a joyful desire to attend and learn as much as possible. Anyone could’ve known, and those responsible for such matters should’ve known, that this was inevitably going to create a backlash, open up the PCA to the online rage caucus, and exacerbate political discord in the Church. Things went from bad to worse quickly, and word of this mess soon spread. 

Frankly, I get the pushback. Politics is almost always divisive by its very nature, and some figures within the political industry are more controversial than others. While I believe his views have been badly misrepresented by his enemies for their political purposes and that his contributions to the defense of religious liberty have been ignored or swept under the rug, I also understand why some people would be unhappy with David’s inclusion; after all, I wouldn’t be especially happy if Charlie Kirk were invited to join the panel (though the fireworks would sure be fun to watch).

Count me in the crowd who thought discussing politics at our GA was an understandable but foolish notion, an idea that should’ve been shot down as soon as it was raised. It was a bad idea in an even worse time and place. 

In the end, while I agree with the AC’s decision to cancel the seminar, I was grieved by how David was treated during this episode; it was shameful. Such mistakes can’t be allowed to happen again. The danger of the online caucus motivating how people respond to these matters has to be understood and avoided. We can and must do better. We can also find a way to encourage one another to grow in our ability to hear and learn from those whose views we might disagree with and do so respectfully. Our disagreements don’t have to become divisions.

Getting Schooled

Much could be written about how various decisions were made and handled over the past several days, but I think some important lessons can be gained from what’s unfolded. I'm sure others would have even more wisdom to offer or can say things more effectively than I can, but here are my observations on turning our recent experience into a learning moment.

First, we need these conversations, even if GA isn’t the right occasion for them. Helping one another navigate the often choppy waters of politics is important; helping church members do so is vital. Learning to listen respectfully and learn from even those we disagree with is a vital skill and certainly a great need in our often very deeply divided society. 

Politics and elections do matter. After all, if the wicked flourish, local communities can be devastated, nations can find themselves at war, and people can be denied hard-won freedoms, peace, and life. People suffer if evil is unopposed and ignoble leaders in office pursue and establish foolish and dangerous policies.

In the face of such possibilities, evading politics as unworthy of our attention or unclean and best to avoid is unwise and unloving. After all, opting out of political engagement is still a political choice. Whether first said by Edmund Burke or John Stuart Mill, the observation “the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing” might be an oversimplification, but it isn’t incorrect.

While it cannot be denied that politics and elections do matter, it is also true that they matter too much for some. Indeed, in certain cases, it appears that politics, far from being informed by faith, has taken the place of faith. There are those for whom politics has become their religion, and even if they give it the name “Christian,” it is no less an idol.

How we shepherd those we care for to avoid the twin dangers of political idolatry on the one hand and pseudo-spiritual escapism on the other is important. 

Second, that means we all have to examine our own hearts. If our first responses to events and people we disagree with are impatient anger or dismissive passivity, we need to ask God to cleanse our hearts and renew our minds. 

Third, we need to remember that some Christians are called to public service, and all Christians are summoned to pray for those in authority, honor those in such authority, and work alongside all to foster the good. This is true for our neighborhoods, cities, and nations. Being salt and light in the world is part of our faithful witness. While we hold that this work is given to all Christians, this doesn’t mean the Church knows how to do this well. We have to talk about it together and teach clearly so others can be equipped to serve.

Fourth, in-church conversations and seminars about politics are very difficult. Leaders should host such events only with the utmost care, clear communication, and prayer. 

Fifth, one must be mindful of the toxic approach undertaken by many online voices. Their job is to serve an agenda or build an audience. They are not trying to help the Church and leaders in the Church cannot be moved by or crumble before outside pressure. 

Sixth, leaders should consult many seasoned voices. Before launching potentially contentious projects, regardless of who is involved, we need to take counsel from a community of trusted truth-tellers who will help us see potential trouble we might’ve missed.

Finally, If you break it, own it. Do it quickly, clearly, completely, humbly, and directly. We all make mistakes and fail badly in these areas; we will need a lot of mercy for one another. Let’s be quick to repent and quick to help one another deal with our sins and do that for the sake of the Church. 

A Visit to Arlington

When I was a small boy, my parents took us to Washington, DC, to see the monuments to the sacrifice and wisdom of those who’d preceded us and entrusted us with the duty of citizenship in our Republic by their gift. Like so many, I was stunned into silence and uncomprehending awe at the sea of stones marking the graves of the men and women who gave “the last full measure of devotion” in service to this country, to their families, and, in many cases, to God. As we walked there that day, my dad asked me about the symbols on the stones. “I see names and the branch they served with,” I said. “What else do you see?” he prodded. “I see crosses and stars of David on them,” I replied. After a pause, he asked, “What don’t you see on any of them?” Before I could answer, he said, “There are no “R’s” or “D’s” on any stone. They didn’t die for a party; they fought and died as Americans. Never forget that.”

I haven’t. I never will.

If those who died to preserve our democratic institutions were not in the end known by a political tribe, how much more must we, for whom Christ died to preserve our souls and save the world, find our primary identity in the cross?

The sign of the cross is the banner under which we gather and go; there is no “R” or “D” on a communion table, and no flag from any nation or state is unfurled over a baptismal font. The Church belongs to Christ; we are his kingdom, and we won’t compromise that identity with any power, political or otherwise.

Heaven have mercy on us all - Presbyterians and Pagans alike - for we are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending.”- Herman Melville