Finding a sparing partner

With the recent selection by President-Elect Obama of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural prayer of his presidency, controversy has abounded as to the political reasoning for his decision. Numerous people have written about it over the last two weeks (Frank Rich - New York Times)and even more has been written about what has been written (Peter Levine, Steve Waldeman,). I figure what would be one more level of commentary in the mix.

"Iron sharpeneth iron" Prov.27.17

"Surround Yourself With People Smarter Than You” - George Steinbrenner & others

The real question that has risen from the Obama-Warren debate is the fact that they don't agree on everything, or much at all on the social reform list. This challenge approach was key to Obama's campaign (setting aside any personal views of the election & Obama's views) and he has continued to use this approach for opportunities like this. This reflects another aspect of an effective community builder. Surrounding yourself with people who will challenge, strengthen and encourage you while doing it with heartfelt and genuine respect is something that many great leaders have done.

The ability to face would be "adversaries" and see past the "issues" and see them as God's creation. A commuity builder's toughest skill isn't in working and involving people that you can agree with all the time but with those who won't. Christ spent time with sinners and publicans, people very different from his sinless life. Paul was the missionary to the Gentiles, a people he despised for the early portion of his life. We cannot, however, ignore the principle of seeking godly council from other spiritual leaders because they help to keep you grounded in their faith (i.e. Paul & Barnabas/Silas).

When Paul wrote of the need for unity in the church, he didn't say it was needed because they all got along but because there were divisions. In Ephesians Paul repeatedly connects unity with a humble spirit - the only way to begin to achieve unity.

As we move forward as a country with the upcoming inaguration, we cannot dismiss the opportunity to continue the level of engagement that has occured. We must acknowledge our differences - no matter how fundamental, discover the areas we agree - surprisingly more often then we would think, and dialogue about the easily divisive issues.