Presence Weekly 7/08/2024

"I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. ³ Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." (Philippians 4:2–3)

Let’s talk about conflict! Not the kind of conflict that leads to war but the kind of conflict that leads to avoiding people at the water cooler, eye-rolling in meetings, and asking, “Is so and so going to be there?” Maybe even the kind that leads to people saying, “I can’t stand that person.” In worse scenarios, the kind of conflict that leads to people not talking for years.

Sometimes conflict happens because we have been sinned against, and we deserve an apology. But sometimes, certain personality types get to us. Sometimes, we just don’t care for the way people lead, the decisions they make, or the policy decisions they support.

At times, it’s possible to keep that completely to ourselves, and no one, not a soul, is aware of the conflict. But other times, perhaps most of the time, it spills out into public. Other people around us are aware that we’re not huge fans of someone, or that we even have it out for them. It can happen in the home, at work, at school, and especially in the public square. In the public square, conflicts are exacerbated by 24-hour news machines and social media. 

Whatever the case, when conflict exists, our joy is diminished—and not only our joy but also the joy of those around us. We were created by God to live in community, and yet, because of the fall, community life brings conflict. 

Paul refers to Christians as agents of reconciliation, but the reality is that we tolerate certain types of conflict, and, at times, even create conflict. We see it, we experience it, and we live with it. Why? Perhaps because we don’t know what to do to end it? Perhaps we are afraid of poking the hornet’s nest. And if we really dig into it, we are often prone to doing things that bring the conflict about. So, what are we to do? We must pursue gospel-reconciled lives. 

As Paul nears the conclusion of his epistle to the Philippians, a church filled mostly with Gentiles, some Jews, men, women, and people of all social classes, trying to figure out what it means to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God and to have significant lives - Paul moves from the theological to the personal and practical. Honestly, it must have been a bit uncomfortable to have been in the congregation that day, but when we prioritize gospel-reconciled lives, it’s exactly what we would expect Paul to do.

How do we pursue gospel-reconciled lives in the midst of conflict? 

First, we need to name the conflict. Paul does just that, “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” I imagine the two of these ladies sitting in church, listening to this letter, rejoicing that Paul had written their church, and thankful that Epaphroditis had given Paul such a detailed report so he could write this very pastoral letter. 

But then, as they are sensing the conclusion, they hear their own names being read to the whole congregation. I like to imagine that it came just as each of them was thinking that the other person really needed to hear this.

That’s when Paul names the conflict, out loud, for all to hear. Why, because everyone was being impacted by it, and probably knew about it, and were having to deal with it. What was the conflict? We have no idea, because Paul properly does not tell us. But it was a problem, and it needed to be dealt with. Getting the problem out in public is scary, and maybe a bit embarrassing, but sometimes it needs to happen to begin the reconciliation process.

Paul’s path towards reconciliation starts with asking them to “agree in the Lord.” What does that mean, to “agree to disagree” – no, it means that they need to be in unity on the fact that they both serve Christ and trust that as they serve together through their differing gifts and differing opinions, that they trust the Lord will advance his mission.

Second, we need to ask for help. “Yes, I ask you also, true companion (singular), help these women.” Scholars are not sure if Paul is talking to them as a singular whole, or if he is speaking to an individual, but he is clearly asking for help. This is not a public shaming. He is asking people, or a person, from within the very community these women call home to sit these women down and help them work it out, to talk through whatever their issues are: petty or substantive, an intentional or unintentional slight. Perhaps they each needed to be a bit more aware of their own personalities. Who knows? But they need help because they have not been able to work it out themselves.

Third, we need to accentuate the positive. Paul reminds them that they are those “who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” If you are going to mediate a conflict, it’s best to start with what the two parties already have in common. Paul reminds the whole congregation in public and out loud, that these women were his partners in ministry. They have toiled side by side, together for the gospel. They are fellow workers. They are members of the same team. And, BOTH of their names are written in the Book of Life. Why? Because both have been reconciled to God through Christ. If they have only one thing in common it is that they both enjoy the same God’s mercy.

We are not told how this went. But if God cared enough to make sure that these women were remembered forever for their conflict, I like to think their kids and grandkids laughed about it every time they heard the letter read in church.

Paul does this because he loves these women and the church, and he wants everyone to experience the joy of a gospel-reconciled life, which is offered to us through the life-changing love of Jesus Christ. 

This reality and methodology can help resolve conflict—even in the public square. 

Questions for Application

Consider a conflict that you are currently involved in or observing. How is that conflict hindering your joy? How is it affecting the joy of others? 

If the conflict does not directly involve you, what would pursuing conflict resolution for those individuals involved look like? How could you act as an agent of reconciliation?

If you are directly involved in the conflict, how might you apply the truths of this passage to laying the framework for reconciliation?

• Monday: Morning: 1 Samuel 22: 6-23, Romans 15:14-33, Psalm 38, 39, 40 // Evening: 1 Samuel 23, Luke 8:1-21, Psalm 38, 39, 40
• Tuesday: Morning: 1 Samuel 24, Romans 16, Psalm 44, 45, 46 // Evening: 1 Samuel 25:1-43, Luke 8:22-56, Psalm 44, 45, 46
• Wednesday: Morning: 1 Samuel 26, 1 Corinthians 1:1-25, Psalm 50, 51, 52 // Evening:1 Samuel 28:1-29, Luke 9:1-17, Psalm 50, 51, 52
• Thursday: Morning: 1 Samuel 30, 1 Corinthians 1:26-2:16, Psalm 56, 57, 58// Evening: 2 Samuel 1, Luke 9:18-50, Psalm 56, 57, 58
• Friday: Morning: 2 Samuel 2:1-3:1, 1 Corinthians 3, Psalm 62, 63, 64// Evening: 2 Samuel 3:2-39, Luke 9:51-62, Psalm 62, 63, 64
• Saturday: Morning: 2 Samuel 4-5:12, 1 Corinthians 4:1-17, Psalm 68 // Evening: 2 Samuel 6, Luke 10:1-24, Psalm 68
• Sunday: Morning: Judges 16:4-31, Mark 9:30-50, Psalm 71, 72 // Evening: 2 Samuel 11, Acts 8:26-39, Psalm 71, 72

• Cabinet Agency: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (HHS) works to “improve access and reduce barriers to high quality, effective programs, and services for individuals who suffer from or are at risk for addictive and mental disorders, as well as for their families and communities.”
• Think Tank, Lobby group, NGO: Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, an advocacy firm “working to advance federal policy and mental health and substance use disorder services.”
• Weekly delegation: The Congressional delegation of Connecticut
• News events: For members of the White House staff and Democratic congressional delegation as they work through questions of President Biden continuing on the ticket. Staff members at the Veterans Administration working to increase legal services to veterans experiencing homelessness.
• Personal requests: For those heading out on or returning from vacations. For an individual far behind and overwhelmed. For someone navigating new roommate dynamics. For someone headed on a much-needed sabbatical to work on a book. For a couple getting ready for a government-related relocation overseas.

• The Reagan Presidential Library offers the full video of a time when the then-president fielded questions from the anchors of four major news outlets at the same time.
• Comment Magazine has a fantastic essay entitled, “The Truth Will Lead You Home,” which explores our relationship to lies and falsehoods. 
• CCEF has a very pastoral piece on the beauty of trying.
• The Gospel Coalition has an article co-written by an old friend, Eric Schumacher, on “praying when we are too paralyzed to pray.”
• First Things has a brief but important essay on Richard Dawkins’s embrace of “cultural Christianity.”
• The Washington Post, a center-left newspaper, has an interesting piece on “taking back evangelical Christianity from Trump.”
• The Wall Street Journal, a center-right newspaper, released its editorial board’s reflection on the Biden campaign crisis.

• Tuesday, July 9, the Center for American Progress hosts an online event discussing the implications of Project 2025 for all Americans and how its policy proposals are already having an impact at the state level.
• Wednesday, July 10, 2024 | 4:00 PM to 5:15 PM ET AEI hosts Health Policy and the 2024 Election with Brian J. Miller. 
• Friday, July 12, at noon, Faith & Law, in partnership with Biola University, will host a discussion on “Productive Disagreement” as part of their Friday Lunch Forum series.
• This weekend is the 32nd annual Giant BBQ Battle on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C., featuring great food, fun games, and live music for the whole family. 
• Monday, July 15, Brookings has “Putting technology to work for inclusive prosperity: Challenges for public policy”

Summer is here and it is going to get hot this week! Well-credentialed pastors recommend plenty of ice cream during times such as this. Mount Desert Island Ice Cream is the small-batch, single-barrel version of ice cream and custard. What that means is that all the ice cream served in the store is hand-crafted 5 gallons at a time. Featuring flavors like Maine Sea-Salt Caramel, ButterBeer, and The Dude, there is sure to be something for everyone. They even have some great dairy-free options too.