The danger, and the virtues of lists

A brief reflection on lists

As part of our congregation's work rewriting the covenant of membership, our annual commitment to one another that defines what it means to be part of our congregation, we've been talking about what should and should not belong in the document.

And one thing that has been a point of conversation is the following line:

Because we are Christian pilgrims on this earth, I recognize myself as a citizen in Christ's eternal kingdom that rises above all temporary, earthly kingdoms. This kingdom rises, too, above all superficial divisions of gender, race, sexual orientation, and culture, and the temporary bonds of worldly organizations and bureaucracies.

There are a couple of concerns-first, it's sort of a civic list-gender, race, sexual orientation, these are the non-discrimination words of the secular culture in which we live.

But there is another complain I've heard a number of times-a concern about lists. What about economic status? What about class? What about disabilities? There are more superficial divisions than just these that we have listed. The kingdom of God rises above ALL superficial divisions. Do we really need to say more than that? Is it useful to add these extra things?

And it's a fair point-lists are dangerous, because of who they leave off, just as much as who they include. Lists of the 12 disciples leave off all of the women who also were disciples of Jesus. Lists of the commandments ignore all the other things we ought to do as faithful Christians to support God's work in the world.

But I also see the value of lists, because they provide precise vision and clear instructions. It's the value of bullet points-you can go down each one, and make sure it's happened. Sure, God's kingdom rises above ALL superficial divisions. But throughout the history of the church, many people have questioned whether divisions of race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, or political boundaries are really superficial. Slavery was a significant statement that God's kingdom did not rise about racial differences. Women have been prohibited from church leadership in many places. Questions of how religion and culture intersect are live in our society-worship wars are at some level a question of overcoming culture. And of course, most churches would say that they are welcoming, but that does not mean that they think that God is OK with same sex relationships. So for our congregation to make a list means that we are clear about which discrimination that Christians have embraced in the past is not part of our commitment to one another. If you think that race is a meaningful division in our world, you shouldn't sign the covenant. If you think that God's kingdom does not rise about gender divisions, you ought to repent and convert.

So sure, we can leave people out with our lists, but lets not forget to communicate clearly, and put our cards on the table.