From the
Interim Director
Arnold L. Tiemeyer, a retired ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, lives in Blue Bell, PA. He is serving as Interim Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA as it searches for its new Director.
During the Affirmation of Faith service (in the old days we called it confirmation) the minister addresses those making affirmation with this question: “Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism...to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?” To this question, each person answers in turn, “I do, and I ask God to help and Guide me.” Do you remember that affirmation?
We have committed ourselves to peace and justice. Each
of us has to find our own way of fulfilling this promise.
In the early sixties one of the episodes of the TV show All in the
Family presented the consternation that Archie Bunker showed when
his son-in-law put on his shoes and socks in the following order: right
sock, right shoe, left sock, left shoe. Archie insisted that the only
appropriate way to do it was to first put on both socks, followed by the
shoes.
We laugh at this episode over and over (it is still in
reruns) because it seems so preposterous that someone would take such a
hardened stand when the same objective is met by both methods. So it is
with advocacy. Though we share the same principle in our advocacy, we
may say it differently. Our statements are formed by our culture, our
experiences and, yes, our faith. We join with other people and
organizations of good will to achieve justice. Yet, not all will use the
same methods.
If politics is the art of compromise, advocacy is the
art of nuance. Seek out the brothers and sisters, both within the church
and in general society, as you work for peace and justice. You will be
pleased with the passion others show as they strive for the same goal
but just say it somewhat differently.
Arnold