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Involving Congregations in Advocacy Now (ICAN)
an ELCA guide to developing an advocacy ministry within your congregation
How to Bring Advocacy to my Congregation
In this section:
 A
Model of What to do If We Do Not Agree
Seeking to be Faithful Together
Give all a hearing...listen before answering
John 7:51 and Proverbs 18:13
- Treat each other respectfully so as to build trust, believing
that we all desire to be faithful to Jesus Christ. We will keep
our conversations and communications open for candid and
forthright exchange, we will not ask questions or make
statements in a way which will intimidate or judge others.
- Learn about various positions surrounding the topic of
disagreement.
- State what you think you heard and ask for clarification
before responding, in an effort to be sure everyone is
understood.
Speak the truth in Love
Ephesians 4:15
- Share concerns directly with individuals or groups with whom
you have disagreements in a spirit of love and respect in
keeping with Jesus’ teaching.
- Focus on ideas and suggestions instead of questioning people’s
motives. Name-calling, labeling, trying to guess people’s
party affiliation is not appropriate.
- Share personal experiences about the subject of disagreement
so that others may more fully understand the concerns.
Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
Peace
Ephesians 4:3
- Indicate agreement with those of other viewpoints as well as
disagreement. Then agree to disagree.
- Seek to stay in community though the discussions may be
vigorous and full of tension.
- Commit to guidelines of grace, urging persons of various
points of view to speak and promise to listen to these
positions. Be sensitive to the feelings and concerns of those
who do not agree with the majority and respect their rights of
conscience.
- Include disagreements in prayers, seeking God’s grace to
listen attentively, to speak
clearly, and to remain open to the vision God holds for us all.
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