Getting to Communal Blessing
Rev. Erik Swanson
February 23, 2025
Presbyterians believe in communal leadership, where the pastor is not the sole leader but part of a team working on behalf of the community. Effective leadership requires humility and discernment, ensuring that power is not wielded over the people but shared among them. On this day, where we install Elders and Deacons, I’m excited by our leadership team who emphasize their collective gifts and dedication to following God’s calling.
God’s Blessings are Communal
When we reflect on the story of Joseph in Genesis, we see Joseph’s leadership brought blessings not just to himself but to the entire household he served. This reinforces a recurring biblical theme—God’s blessings are communal rather than individual. This challenges the American Dream's emphasis on individual success, instead presenting a vision where abundance is shared within the community.
True Freedom is Communal
During Black History Month we should reflect on the words of civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer and Martin Luther King Jr., who emphasized that true freedom is communal, not individual. Their insights highlight interconnectedness—the idea that personal well-being is dependent on the well-being of others. The same principle applies to justice and abundance, where social structures must uplift all rather than favor a few.
Jesus' radical teaching of loving one's enemies, presents it as a crucial challenge. Jesus pushes the limits of love, calling for an advanced level of compassion that defies human instincts. Loving only those who love us is easy; true transformation comes from loving those who oppose us. Communal abundance can only be achieved through such radical love.
Focusing on Collective Well-being
Current societal issues, including division, greed, and fearmongering, stem from leadership focused on individual power rather than collective well-being. The consequences—xenophobia, gender discrimination, and social inequality—are amplified by those in positions of influence. This is the opposite of love, which unites rather than isolates.
Love Requires Persistence and Accountability
However, love does not mean passivity or enabling harmful behavior. Rather, it requires persistence and accountability. Turning the other cheek, for instance, is an act of subversive power rather than passive submission. True communal abundance means everyone is valued, respected, and empowered.
Yes, many might dismiss this vision as unrealistic. However, this type of love has never been fully tested on a large scale due to societal conditioning and past wounds. As a result, God's vision of a sacred, united community often fades in favor of individualism and fear.
Embodying Selfless Love
There was recently a powerful illustration of this relating to the recent tragic plane crash near Philadelphia. A young boy risked his life to save his sister by shielding her from falling debris. He was left in a coma but, when he came out of the coma, his first words were to ask if his sister was ok. That is selfless love. This exemplifies the communal responsibility we are called to uphold. We should actively pursue communal well-being rather than personal gain. By working toward shared abundance, God’s vision of love and justice can be realized in the world.