The Lausanne Movement has always been about ideas, but it used to be that those ideas were shared by a much smaller group – those who could attend the congress or read the resulting papers, for example. Today the ideas the movement is generating are available to many more Christians all over this planet. And as the circle of voices widens, so do the opinions and perspectives.
I have seen the discussion in the Lausanne Global Conversation and in other venues become more dynamic and alive as the last few months have progressed. As it has grown and the types of input have increased, the disagreement has also increased. Thankfully, it seems like the discussions have been very positive and respectful even in disagreement.
But this brings up the issue that one of our Lausanne Blogger Network members addressed in her recent post in the conversation, “What to do when two people who love Jesus have two different points of view?”
That is a fair question isn’t it. Leslie Keeney recounts an example of when she and another believer did not agree and she goes on to ask for input on how to engage with people you disagree with in love. (Make sure to join her conversation!)
One of the starting points of any response to this question has to be humility. When humility is a growing virtue in our lives, we are less likely to believe that we have the all the answers and other believers don’t. Another key is community. When we are in a dynamic community of believers where there is mutual accountability and encouragement, then we look at disagreements very differently than if we are coming into a discussion from a position of isolation.
Within this context of humility and community we are then able to tackle issues as we struggle through them together. Because our humility tells us that we do not hold the complete understanding of all truth, we realize that we are still growing in our understanding of truth. Because our community holds us accountable to the truth, our fellow believers instruct us and help us to stay focused on the journey that God has each of us walking in faith.
The result is clarity as we learn more and more about our Savior in humble community. Unfortunately, the result is seldom certainty. Certainty is greatly desired by many of us, but in the end it represents our desire to retain control. One thing is for certain, in our walk with Jesus, He wants and deserves the reigns of our lives, our actions and our learning.
Participate: Pick an article in the Global Conversation that you disagree with and begin asking questions and probing with an attitude of humility and commitment to community.
Engage: Think back to the last time you had an argument with another believer about what you understood as truth. Replay the event and ask yourself how humility and community might have changed that interaction.
Own: If you see people within the Global Conversation beginning to argue, step in. Hold them accountable to speak truth in love and to grow together as they learn. Make sure you pray before you write anything and continue praying for them once you have hit “Submit”