Philippians 4:1-9

Loved ones, I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to come to an agreement in the Lord. Yes, and I’m also asking you, loyal friend, to help these women who have struggled together with me in the ministry of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the scroll of life.

We Wesleyan Christians have a long history of finding ways to live together even in the midst of disagreement. Finding middle ground and developing intentional space to converse civilly is a point of pride for us as a denomination.

That, of course, doesn’t mean that healthy dialogue occurs in every local context. I don’t know how many conversations I’ve had to sit through surrounded by colleagues or parishioners whose ideology is entirely opposite mine but who agree on all their own points. Those conversations turn quickly vitriolic, and it is painfully clear that no argument will convince anyone that there is another point of view worth considering.

I realize that I’ve compelled people to sit through the same thing when I find an ally and begin venting off pent-up frustration.

I realize now, and I typically realize at the time, that my own vitriol completely fails to win hearts and minds, and only serves to make the atmosphere more toxic.

I realize that when I do that, I’m only feeding the fire that’s burning out of control in today’s polarizing culture.

What I wonder, then, is how to read what Paul suggests to the church in Phillipi. Are we to aim for complete agreement, which is probably an impossible task today, or are we to learn to live in disagreement and focus on those points on which we find common ground?

What is the healthy way for the Body of Christ to live?