The One Campaign

John 17: 20-26
20 "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

25 Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Let me start with an "I statement." I frickin hate preaching on this passage.

Remember "The Concordat?" The debate surrounding it was at its height during my internship year which I spent in the NW WA Synod. At its Synod Assembly, a resolution against "The Concordat" was being debated. Speaking in favor of "The Concordat" one pastor said something like: "In John 17 Jesus prayed for the unity of the Church. Vote for 'The Concordat' and help fulfill his prayer."

Then I read or heard a statement by Luther Sem. prof David Frederickson who stated that Jesus was not talking about the "big church" in John 17. Jesus was talking about individual congregations. I prefer Frederickson's take.

I am reading a book by Peter Steinke-- Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. In a chapter titled "The Leader's Challenge" (and on page 108) he writes about what church leaders can do during times of conflict to harness the good that can come out of the conflicted time. Introducing this theme he writes some good stuff that I would like us to ramble on. I'm not sure what this has to do with preaching; maybe it will help our thinking on this painful to preach on text.

A conflict-free congregation is incongruent not only with reality but even more with biblical theology. Jesus upset many people emotionally. The life of Jesus takes place against a backdrop of suspicion, opposition, and crucifixion. The Christian story is underlined with conflict. Early on, we encounter the emotional reactivity of the religious leaders, who see Jesus as a threat to their authority and belief system. Eventually the tension between the roaming preacher and the established religious order comes to a dramatic point. Tension leads to crucifixion.

The church has had divisions from its inception. No doubt, it has fought senseless battles, squandered its resources on frivolous issues, sent negative signals to society, shattered its unity, and forfeited chances to share its goodwill. Some churches work through the reactive period and emerge stronger. Others shuffle from crisis to crisis. What makes the difference in outcomes?

Nowhere in the Bible is tranquility preferred to truth or harmony to justice. Certainly reconciliation is the goal of the gospel, yet seldom is reconciliation an immediate result. If people believe the Holy Spirit is directing the congregation into the truth, wouldn't this alone encourage Christians who have differing notions to grapple with issues respectfully, lovingly, and responsively? If potent issues are avoided because they might divide the community, what type of witness is the congregation to the pursuit of truth?