The recent debate, or as the president calls it, the recent debacle over raising the debt ceiling brought into sharp relief the importance of compromise in government. It's an issue that is important for church life as well. The failure to compromise can have serious consequences in the life of a congregation. And we should hasten to add that "giving in" rather than standing up on an issue is as much a failure to compromise as is an unwillingness to give and take on that issue. Compromise can only take place when two individuals or parties openly, honestly discuss their differences over an issue requiring a decision. The goal of compromise is to reach the best possible decision taking into account their contending concerns.The Dallas News blog, TEXAS FAITH, recently posted a helpful compilation of thoughts on compromise by Dallas area faith leaders. It's worth taking a look at (here) and includes, for example, this thought from the Rev. Joe Clifford, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Dallas, who writes,
"Compromise is not antithetical to conviction. It reflects a conviction that values getting things done. It reflects the value of humility that recognizes one might not be right about everything. It reflects a conviction that the world is an exceedingly complex place filled with myriad shades of grey that require us to negotiate the challenges life brings through a healthy combination of conviction and compromise.
"Washington doesn't need more conviction right now. We need leaders who recognize the complexities of these realities who have a healthy dose of humility and value getting things done. Such leaders know what it means to compromise."The difficulties Congress has today in making meaningful compromises are, sadly, not a coincidence. Congress is an only slightly distorted mirror image of the voters who elected them. When the electorate shows a definite inclination to elect hard liners on both sides of the isle, it must live with the fact that in politics, "What you elect is what you get."
