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- Examples of questions from Braver Angels’ “Depolarizing Within” resource. Image: ELCA
Serving a congregation during an election year has often presented challenges. But the last few election cycles have revealed deepening divides that have left pastors and deacons, especially those serving “purple” congregations, filled with anxiety about how to talk across our political differences.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod heard the longings for resources around depolarization from its rostered ministers and invited ELCA Witness in Society (WiS) to its ministerium’s monthly call in March. Members of the ELCA advocacy staff, as well as Erin Jones of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, offered training.
Romans 12:18—“If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”—rooted the session in Scripture as Amy Reumann, WiS senior director, reflected on the church’s call to peacemaking and civic engagement. A draft version of the ELCA social statement on civic life and faith was also referenced. Participants said the simple act of talking about the intersection of civic life and faith felt like a departure from normal practice. “I don’t think we talk to one another enough about our differences,” one pastor said. “We are more likely to be focused on why ‘our side’ is right.” Many sensed reluctance in their congregations to engage with differences.
Silas Kulkarni, WiS director of strategy and advocacy, shared practical resources for engaging in depolarizing conversations—from a self-assessment that helps “take the log out of our own eye” (Matthew 7) to the LAPP (listen, acknowledge, pivot, perspective) framework for conversations—from his previous work with Braver Angels.
Participants reflected on their experiences and on how polarization shows up in their contexts. Rostered ministers hone LAPP skills in a variety of ways, and several called them a good reminder to embody graciousness in difficult conversations. The “pivot” step in particular—offering a specific invitation to the other for deeper conversation and reflection—was appreciated by attendees as a crucial tool for breaking a polarized conversation’s cycle.
We live in Christian community with one another as the body of Christ. Practicing skills of depolarization can be crucial. “No matter how much I may disagree with someone in a conversation, as their pastor I will still stand in front on Sunday morning and proclaim words of absolution,” one pastor reflected at the end of the training. The sentiment served as a reminder of the importance of the church as a place where all come for words of grace, regardless of our differences.
