I had the opportunity to experience an event that has been the spark of a lot of controversy in the past week. This week Saddleback / Rick and Kay Warren are hosting the 2006 Global Summit on AIDS and the Church during World Aids Day. The idea behind the conference is to seek to build a coalition of churches to address the pandemic of Aids in the world. They have invited a lot of different speakers, but the one that has really sparked controversy among Evangelicals is the inclusion of Barack Obama, a Democratic Senator from Illinois and potential 2008 Presidential candidate.
Obama is a pro-choice advocate and many pro-life organizations have condemned Rick for allowing him to be here to to speak at the conference. But he is also a professed Christian.
Here is the funny thing, the fact that they “noticed” the conflict of social convictions and personal beliefs between Warren, Brownback and Obama is exactly the point! The idea is that instead of spending time criticizing what others are doing, we should at-least be addressing the big problems we can agree on!
As I watch Senator Sam Brownback, Barack Obama and Rick Warren all speak their heart and convictions, of which there was some contradiction, it felt like one of the best examples I have ever seen of why I am proud to be an American. It was the most CIVIL exchange between people of differing political parties and religious convictions I have ever witnessed. And instead of ending in futility and condemnation, it ended celebrating common ground and unity in addressing a huge and overwhelming problem. It was the free exchange of ideas, even some I am not sure about, but I was honored to see such powerful and influential leaders to take the initiative to work together on common ground for the common good.
I believe this is cause for the rest of the conservative and liberal world to sit up and take notice. To take notice that unity is always more important and powerful to affect real change than the alternative of division and ambition. That conservatives can be conservatives and that is okay, and that liberals can be liberals and that is okay when it comes to addressing the common good. Obviously I have convictions that stem from my relationship with Jesus Christ that I hold that are unshakable in my life. I would fall very much in the Pro-Life camp. But that shouldn’t keep me from working with someone who believes differently than me to save lives and right wrongs.
Best of all, it was the church that brought these people together. It wasn’t the government, a senator, or other official that saw the need for unity in addressing this huge issue (and even more with the P.E.A.C.E. initiative). It was a pastor and his wife who not only though of it, but MADE IT HAPPEN. The church made unity a priority, and acted upon it.
Love, Unity and Respect are always better, period.
