Becoming Communities of Moral Deliberation
Resources for Congregations
Christians fulfill their vocation diversely and are rich in the variety of the gifts of the Spirit. Therefore, they often disagree passionately on the kind of responses they make to social questions. United with Christ and all believers in baptism, Christians welcome and celebrate their diversity. Because they share common convictions of faith, they are free, indeed obligated, to deliberate together on the challenges they face in the world.
Deliberation in this church gives attention both to God’s Word and God’s world, as well as to the relationship between them. This church sees the world in light of God’s Word, and it grasps God’s Word from its context in the world. This church must rely upon God’s revelation, God’s gift of reason, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As a community of moral deliberation, the Church seeks to “discern what is the will of God -- what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Christians struggle together on social questions in order to know better how to live faithfully and responsibly in their callings. Processes of deliberation need to inform and guide this church’s corporate witness in society. In dealing openly and creatively with disagreement and controversy, this church hopes to contribute to the search for the individual as well as for the common good in public life.
Text from A Social Statement on the Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective, pp. 6-7
When we find ourselves on common ground with others in conversations, we are more able also to deal with our differences together. We look at our differences with fresh eyes, with a changed perspective on them.
- Talking Together as Christians Cross-Culturally, p.23