HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – Election day is quickly approaching, and tensions are high among Americans who have thrown their support behind opposing candidates.
The split is even creeping into some church congregations. So much so, that one group hosted a seminar on how to lead a ‘purple’ church in a sea of blue and red opinions.
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“We’re wider than we used to be on most issues,” Pastor Frank Broyles said. “It’s complicated in our day in time to find the balance.”
Broyles is the director of Diakonia, a community chaplain seed ministry. He’s also a member of the Huntsville Association for Pastoral Care. That group sponsors monthly Lunch-and-Learn meetings. Broyles said it was important to use one of them to discuss the current political climate and how church leaders can navigate tensions among congregants.
“We are charged to be ambassadors for reconciliation,” he said.
“You hear stories constantly about how complicated politics is. How do you navigate through the political landscape? I mean, we all have to do that. But how does a pastor do that; a chaplain, someone who is responsible for the care of a community where there are going to be different opinions. More than ever, you’ll be hearing about those opinions often from the people that you’re serving?” he said.