Congregation Argument

I believe that it is at the congregational, grassroots level where individuals truly explore their shared moral responsibilities and the interdependence that exists with others; it is also at the congregational level where dialogue is imperative to help the community discern how it is called to live into discipleship of Christ – particularly love of neighbor.
I believe that the congregation is a rich community of relationships. As such, its members are called to be in conversation with one another about reflections and questions, and to articulate ethical, “sense of the congregation” positions about what is right, fair, and part of the universal human good. Thus, the congregation is the starting point for moral dialogue, struggle with issues, a give-and-take of dynamic interaction, and pursuit of an understanding of morality as illustrated in the gospel and Christian tradition.
Its task is to use as a foundation the discipleship of Christ (grounded in the principles of love of God and neighbor) to make decisions about ethical issues that confront it, raise new questions about the status quo that already exists (e.g. about slavery, civil rights, or women’s suffrage, for example), or transform its moral understandings as a result of the emergence of new ideas. A congregation must develop criteria of purpose and action to guide its choices and give direction to its activities. The congregation has moral agency, and what it believes or discerns to be true affects its behaviors as a community and its advocacy and engagement in the political