The work to make the world better is larger than any one person, one organization, one church or in many cases any one nation. We must figure out how to work together. Many in the church for years have lived and worked somewhat in opposition to government organizations. Today we are reaping what we have sown, and they are vocally opposing our efforts. We may not be able to work on all projects with all people, but the spiritual leader must seek God and ask, “Who are our allies in this endeavor?” Who needs to be at the table? This needs to be done not as some kind of token invitation but more as a question of who can make the project more effective in the long term. This can make for some interesting situations. Lions International and Rotary International worked and are working together in Australia to help farmers impacted by fires. In many ways these two organizations are competing for the same type of members. Yet they figured out they each have different connections, different ideas and different resources that created a synergistic effect. More people got help in more effective ways than if each organization decided to do their own projects.
Now this does not happen easily. I suggest it does not. Everyone and I mean everyone has an agenda whether they state it or not. This will impact the direction of the efforts. There will be great wrestling and debating on topics large and small. The same sort of challenges would face churches willing to consider working together. We may disagree on a wide range of theological topics, but still see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Can Protestants and Catholics work together to impact poverty, violence or any other issues that might present themselves in our community? Would the joint ideas have a better, longer lasting impact? Can we listen to each other and consider all directions? Will you hear an idea and go study it rather than simply dismiss it?
Can this united church work alongside government officials, secular social service organizations, passionate citizens and businesses? This will take a great deal of humility and courage. For the Union Army during the American Civil War both sides had an internal challenge. Sometimes community leaders would enlist or be lesser officers due to lack of military experience. In the civilian circles these men would be able to rule and demand help from the very people who were now their commanders. Pride would rise up and there would be moments of insubordination. Humility will be required to overcome this seeming loss of superiority. My friends we must figure out how we can possibly work together if we are to have hope for a better future.
We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin Franklin
