Congregations respond to divisive issues: Finding paths past polarity

Abstract

What happens when pastors attempt to lead their congregations to conduct civil discussions about potentially polarizing issues? How can congregations engage difficult, controversial, or otherwise challenging issues without splintering, and perhaps even leverage those conversations to achieve charitable clarity and greater unity? Based on interviews with respected pastors, this article examines seven local Baptist churches that engaged in processes that propelled them to examine, discuss, and sometimes make decisions regarding topics that could have fractured their fellowship. Topics range from race, to baptism, to LGBTQ inclusion, to church staff and budgets, to other challenging subjects. In the case studies, each pastor discusses: (a) the issue or issues the church confronted; (b) how the church went about examining, discussing, and deciding on the issue or issues; (c) the results of those processes, or what happened when they talked; (d) what went right; (e) what went wrong; and (f) what the pastor would do differently the next time the congregation enters a similar process. The insights presented by these case studies offer guidance for pastors and church leaders whose congregations face polarizing experiences. In addition, they provide useful material for student discussions of pastoral ministry and ethics.