Pastor Tim McConnell of First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, shared a very sad commentary on (un)civil discourse on February 23, 2025. But first a set-up from the comic strip Pearls Before Swine by Stephen Pastis, February 25, 2025:

Pig (a naive character): I just read this big book on the history of war. It’s so depressing. Why do people even go to war?

Goat (a wise character): Well you have two sides that don’t see things the same way. Things escalate. And soon they’ll stop at nothing to destroy each other.

Rat (a cynical character): Best description of Twitter I’ve ever heard.

Goat: Not what we were talking about.

Pastor Tim was preaching from Hebrews 12 and developing applications from verses 14, 15:

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. (Hebrews 12.14, 15, NKJV)

Here’s what he said:

I have had people leave our church for our politics. I say, “Was it something I said?” No. “Was it one of the Pastors?” No. “What was it?” “It was the Facebook posts of other members of the church. I can’t worship with those people anymore.” I’ve had that both directions. On social media, it’s fun to let the root of bitterness run rampant. Can we bear witness to a community of faith bigger than current, American political differences? Then they will see something. – Tim McConnell, February 23, 2025

“The Facebook posts of other members of the church…Can we bear witness to a community of faith bigger than current, American political differences?”

Folks, can we tone it down a bit? I’ve written before, quoting Breakpoint:

Outrage is not a strategy.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For …

“He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3.8 – 12, NKJV, quoting Psalm 34.12 – 16)